Crocigrapha normani (Grote)

Pogue, Michael G., 2010, The Hadeninae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA 2380, Zootaxa 2380 (1), pp. 1-75 : 13

2. Crocigrapha normani (Grote) Norman’s Quaker

( Figs. 2–3 , Map 3)

Identification: Forewing length 14–18 mm. Ground color of forewing is rusty red brown that can become lighter near outer margin in some specimens. The antemedial line is almost straight, white and edged with darker ground color; postmedial line does not reach costa, curves around reniform spot then is slightly angled to posterior margin. Both of these lines can be variable in color from white to dark rusty red brown and variable in intensity from distinct to faint. Hindwing is white with the veins and marginal band gray. The amount of gray on the hindwings is variable.

Flight period: April to May.

Collected localities: North Carolina : Haywood Co., Purchase Knob, Purchase Knob at house, Purchase Knob NW of house; Swain Co., Big Cove Road site p; Noland Creek . (7 specimens)

Elevation range: 2040–4924 ft. (622–1501 m)

General distribution: Mainly a northern species distributed from Nova Scotia and Quebec in Canada. In the U.S. it ranges from Maine south to North Carolina and west to North Dakota and south to Texas.

Larval hosts: This is a polyphagous species feeding on a wide variety of forest trees and shrubs, including giant blue cohosh ( Caulophyllum giganteum (Faw.) Laconte & Blackwell , Berberidaceae ), beaked hazelnut ( Corylus cornuti Marsh. , Betulaceae ) ( Gibson 1903); apple ( Malus sp. , Rosaceae ), cherry ( Prunus sp. , Rosaceae ) ( Patch 1908, Forbes 1954). The following hosts are arranged in order of preference based on the number of specimens collected from each host: European white birch ( Betula pendula Roth , Betulaceae ), sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh. , Aceraceae ), red maple ( Acer rubrum L., Aceraceae ), American elm ( Ulmus americana L., Ulmaceae ), willow ( Salix sp. , Salicaceae ), white ash ( Fraxinus americana L., Oleaceae ), white oak ( Quercus alba L., Fagaceae ), ironwood ( Eusideroxylon sp. Teijsm. & Binnend., Lauraceae ), yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britton , Betulaceae ), quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx. , Salicaceae ), pin cherry ( Prunus pennsylvanica L., Rosaceae ), American hornbeam ( Carpinus caroliniana Walter , Betulaceae ), green ash ( Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. , Oleaceae ), bur oak ( Quercus macrocar pa Mic hx., Faga ce ae), mountai n a sh ( Sorbus s p., Rosa cea e), gooseber ry ( Ribes sp. , Grossulariaceae ), bigtooth aspen ( Populus grandidentata Michx. , Salicaceae ), black walnut ( Juglans nigra L., Juglandaceae ), balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., Pinaceae ), and butternut ( Juglans cinerea L., Juglandaceae ) ( Prentice 1962). The larva is illustrated in Wagner (2005).

MAP 3. Collecting localities of Crocigrapha normani .

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Adults. 1, Achatia distincta, f, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Seneca, Sycamore Landing, 21 Apr. 1979, D.C. Ferguson; 2, Crocigrapha normani, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 17 Apr. 1976, D.C. Ferguson; 3, Crocigrapha normani, f, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 17 Apr. 1976, D.C. Ferguson; 4, Egira alternans, m, North Carolina, Haywood Co., Cataloochee, just off paved road to Cosbey, 2600 ft., 18 May 2005, M.G. Pogue, USN- MENT 00254451; 5, Egira alternans, m, North Carolina, Haywood Co., Cataloochee, just off paved road to Cosbey, 2600 ft., 18 May 2005, M.G. Pogue, USNMENT 00254466; 6, Himella fidelis, f, South Carolina, Charleston Co., McClellanville, Wedge Plantation, 19 Mar. 1968, D.C. Ferguson; 7, Himella fidelis, m, Texas, Anderson Co., Tennessee Colony, 14 Mar. 1966, A. & M.E. Blanchard; 8, Himella fidelis, m, New York, Tompkins Co., Ithaca, Forest Home, Golf Course Woods, 21 Feb. 1962, D.C. Ferguson.