Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

View PDF	Geometridae Members:	Eupithecia Members:	24 NC Records
Eupithecia columbiata (Dyar, 1904) - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Superfamily: Geometroidea

Family: Geometridae

Subfamily: Larentiinae

Tribe: Eupitheciini

P3 Number: 910305.00

MONA Number: 7459.00

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)	Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD	Technical Description, Adults: Forbes, (1949); McDunnough (1949)
Adult Markings: The ground color is slightly brownish to gray; the outer third is somewhat mottled due to vague fuscous shades opposite the cell and at the fold (Forbes, 1948). The postmedian is even rather than concave, although bending sharply inward at the costa; it is blackish, toothed with black on its inner edge and followed by a pale shade. The subterminal is clear, in a darker shade, and ending with a white tornal patch. The abdomen is dark wood-brown with dark tufts; the second segment is contrastingly paler than the third. This species is very similar to palpata, but that species has an evenly darkish gray abdomen, a more brownish or buffy wing color, and a smoother, less mottled appearance (Forbes, 1948).
Wingspan: 17-18 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: Male antennae are pubescent and the female's are simple (Forbes, 1948). The eighth sternite has two heavy rods joined at the base, forming a lyre-shaped structure ending in spurs.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Distribution in North Carolina


Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Flight Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge

Habitats and Life History

Habitats:

Larval Host Plants: Larvae have been found on Choke Cherry (McDunnough, 1949) - View

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks:

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments:

Photo Gallery for Eupithecia columbiata - No common name		Photos: 8
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-13 Madison Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-04-07 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-03-25 Madison Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-03-30 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-03-30 Madison Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-04-13 Madison Co. Comment: ID based on pointed forewings and pale basal abominal segment, as well as the early date; cannot be confirmed without dissection, however
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-04-13 Madison Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2012-04-09 Warren Co. Comment:

Photo Gallery for Eupithecia columbiata - No common name