The Aventiinae, Boletobiinae, Eublemminae, Pangraptinae, Phytometrinae, and Scolecocampinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U. S. A.
Author
Pogue, Michael G.
text
Zootaxa
2012
3153
1
31
journal article
45706
10.5281/zenodo.279582
155cefd2-7fbd-4482-9f7d-bcc96d645bb7
1175-5326
279582
3.
Metalectra quadrisignata
(Walker, [1858]) Four-spotted Fungus Moth
(
Figs. 4–5
, Map 4)
Identification.
Forewing length 9.0–13.0 mm.
Metalectra quadrisignata
has a brown forewing. Basal area is brown at base with a distal black band with a white, crenulate antemedial line. Reniform spot is black and quadrate with a black, slightly thinner, zigzag medial line extending to posterior margin. Orbicular spot is small, black, and round.
There is a slightly curved row of white spots in the subterminal area.
Hind
wing has a similar pattern to forewing with a black, rectangular discal spot; a curved line of small white spots; and a pair of white bars in the anal area. Similar to
M. discalis
, but the ground color of the forewing is brown in
M. quadrisignata
versus dark brown in
M. discalis
. The zigzag medial line is distinct in
M. quadrisignata
and absent in
M. discalis
.
Flight period.
May to August.
Collected localities.
North Carolina: Swain Co.: Big Cove Rd., site c. Tennessee: Blount Co.: Tremont; Foothills Parkway West at E end; Cades Cove Ranger Station. (
5 specimens
)
Elevation range.
1001–2080 ft
. (
305–634 m
)
General distribution.
This is an eastern species distributed from southeastern
Canada
to Florida and west to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Larval hosts.
Larvae have been reported feeding on a species of bracket fungus (
Covell 1984
).
MAP 4.
Collecting localities of
Metalectra quadrisignata
.