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GT Vision Insect Photo Gallery: Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Noctuinae

 

Southeastern United States Euagrotis (Lepidoptera: Noctuinae)

 

Hugo L. Kons Jr.

 

Version 2016.1 (last update July 2016)

 

Images were taken by Hugo L. Kons Jr. with the GT Vision imaging system at the former American Entomological Institute. 

 

In my view there are eight Euagrotis species in the southeastern United States, including E. simplicia, E. sullivani, and three species each that go under the names lubricans and illapsa.  Exemplars of all eight species are shown below.

 

Anterior abdominal sternites of Euagrotis sullivani and three species that go under the name lubricans.

Anicla lubricans complex

 

 

Euagrotis sullivani

 

*Abdominal brushes absent (present in the following three species), pockets smaller than the following three species.

*Similar to lubricans species 1 and 2 in pattern.  Postmedial and medial lines usually prominent, 3887 is an atypical specimen where they are more diffused, although still clearly visible.

*Occurs in upland and wetland habitats, savanna and woodland habitats.

*Distribution: Gulf Coast: FL panhandle-E TX, also Atlantic Coastal Plain at least to NC per MONA fascicle (Lafontaine 2004).  I have not found it in peninsular Florida.

 

3887 Anicla sullivani

Euagrotis sullivani 3885

Euagrotis sullivani 3888

Euagrotis sullivani 3033

 

Euagrotis lubricans complex species 1

 

*Abdominal brushes present, two KOH cleared specimens (just one of them sequenced) have distinctly smaller pockets relative to lubricans sp 2 & 3.

*Fresh specimens with sequences have contrasting white subterminal line, but these upper scales are quicky lost in worn specimens.  Otherwise similar to species 2 in pattern.

*Postmedial and medial lines distinct.

*Generalist occurring in multiple habitat types, upland and wetlands.

*Probably widespread in southeast U.S. (based on wing pattern), but rarely collected in my experience.

 

Euagrotis lubricans 3886

Euagrotis lubricans 3039

Euagrotis lubricans 3038

Euagrotis lubricans 3040

 

Euagrotis lubricans complex species 2

 

*Abdominal brushes present, pockets large and similar to lubricans sp. 3, but easily separated by wing pattern.

*No sequenced specimens have a white contrasting subterminal line.

*Postmedial and medial lines distinct in fresh specimens.

*All sequenced specimens are from pitcher plant bogs or close proximity to these habitats.

*Kons-Borth sequenced and/or dissected specimens are from the FL panhandle-southern Alabama.

 

Euagrotis lubricans species 1 3032

Euagrotis lubricans species 1 3030

Euagrotis lubricans species 1 3031

Euagrotis lubricans species 1 3034

Euagrotis lubricans species 1 3035

Euagrotis lubricans species 1 3036

Euagrotis lubricans species 1 3037

Euagrotis species 1 3041

 

Euagrotis lubricans complex species 3

 

*Abdominal brush present, pockets large with prominent concave gouge on outer posterior sides.

*Differs in wing pattern from the other two species by a smoother and less mottled forewing with an indistinct postmedial line.

*Apparently restricted to turkey oak/longleaf pine sandhill habitats.

*Distribution: Peninsular Florida, panhandle, southern Alabama (dissected and/or sequenced specimens), but apparently absent from east TX.

 

Anicla 25 June 2010 WSF

Euagrotis lubricans species 2 3054

Euagrotis lubricans species 2 3051

Euagrotis lubricans species 2 3052

Euagrotis lubricans species 2 3053

Euagrotis lubricans species 2 3050

Euagrotis lubricans species 2 3055

 

 

Euagrotis illapsa

 

One worn specimen of the true illapsa (not shown) was collected by Kons and Borth at an intensively surveyed site in Jackson County (Buena Vista Road) in May 2007, and probably represents a stray from the north.  Most Florida records of “illapsa” in my opinion are one of the following two peninsular Florida endemic species which differ in wing pattern, habitat association, and distribution.  I have not studied the internal structures or genetics of this complex.

 

Anicla illapsa 6 Jun 02 UVT 1

Anicla illapsa 8 July 2002 2

Anicla illapsa 8 July 2002

 

 

Euagrotis near illsapsa species 1

 

This species is apparently a peninsular Florida endemic restricted to xeric upland habitats.  My specimens are from longleaf pine/turkey oak sandhill savannas.

 

Euagrotis near illapsa 15 May 99 KOP

 

Euagrotis near illapsa species 2

 

I have taken one specimen (below) of this peninsular Florida endemic phenotype in north Florida in coastal Dixie County in a mix of salt marsh and maritime woodland.  Others I have examined are from southern peninsular Florida, including a series of specimens from the Big Cypress Preserve.

 

Anicla nr illapsa 24 Jul 1999 361

 

Euagrotis simplicia

 

This species is easily recognized by the dark horizontal medial bar, touching the antemedial line on the basal side.  I have seldom found this species, usually as single captures, and it does not appear to be associated with a particular type of specialized habitat.

 

Anicla simplicia 4 April 2002 AEI 2

Anicla simplicia 4 April 2002 AEI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

                       

                  

 

 

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