Endangered Resources Program Species Information
A Noctuid Moth (Anarta luteola)
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Overview
Species Overview
There is no overview information available for that species.
Status and NHI Documented Occurrences in Wisconsin
The table below provides information about the protected status (State and Federal Status) and the rank (S and G Ranks) for A Noctuid Moth (Anarta luteola). See the Working List Key for more information about the abbreviations used. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. For invertebrates, dots depict locations from the "Invertebrate Atlas," a database with occurrences of rare and common aquatic and select terrestrial invertebrate species found in Wisconsin and adjacent areas. While the invertebrate atlas is a quality assured database, not all records have been verified. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.
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Detailed Information
Identification: A small noctuid moth having black forewings mottled with gray and marked with a prominent white reniform spot. The hindwings are bright yellow with a heavy black border along the outer margin. Nearly impossible to verify visually due to rapid flight. Collect and submit specimen to a specialist for verification. Wingspan: 22-24 mm. Length of forewing: 10-11 mm. The larva of the northern European Anarta cordigera, with which the North American A. luteola was formerly thought to be conspecific, is crimson with yellow dark-edged dorsal and lateral lines and dark oblique subdorsal shades on each segment (Forbes 1954).
Similar Species: Syngrapha microgamma is a larger noctuid moth with gray forewings and yellow and black hindwings that may begin emerging late in the flight of A. luteola.
Habitat: Most common in hummocky open bogs with scattered black spruce and tamarack. Sometimes found in areas with moderate tree cover.
Nectar Source: Bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla), leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) and blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) flowers. Known to use hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) in Vermont.
Host Plant: Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) and bearberry (Arctostaphylos sp.) are recorded for the northern European Anarta cordigera.
Associated Species: Freija fritillary (Boloria freija), red-disked alpine (Erebia discoidalis) and the noctuid moths, Heliothis borealis and Syngrapha microgamma. Oeneis jutta in the more forested areas.
State Distribution: Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Forest, Langlade, Oneida and Price counties. Likely to be more common than present records indicate. Efforts to find this species are hampered by poor flowering of nectar sources in some seasons.
Global Distribution: Boreal North America, from Labrador and Maine through Quebec, Ontario, Upper Michigan and Wisconsin, west to Colorado, British Columbia and the Yukon.
Threats: Disruption of bog hydrology, indiscriminate application of biocides.
Phenology: Adults are present from mid May to very early June.
Life History: Univoltine.
Survey Guidance: Adults are diurnal, active on sunny days and attracted to available nectar sources in the bogs including bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla), leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) and blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) flowers. It has a very rapid, darting flight that makes visual confirmation all but impossible. Adults are not attracted to blacklight at night. New county records should be documented with voucher specimens.
Inventory, Monitoring and Research Needs: Locate additional populations. A considerable amount of potential habitat in Wisconsin has not been surveyed. There are likely many undiscovered populations throughout northern Wisconsin.
Additional Information: The North American populations were formerly thought to be conspecific with the northern European Anarta cordigera, but have now been found to be a distinct species. References to Anarta cordigera in most older North American literature pertain to Anarta luteola.
Information originally presented as part of the Online Field Guide to Rare Lepidoptera: Bogs and Barrens.
Photos
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![A Noctuid Moth [Photo #1934]](thumbnail_photos/anarlute.jpg) |
Photo © Les Ferge. |
Related Links
Links to Additional A Noctuid Moth Information
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