Ledaea perditalis (Walker, 1859) Lost Owlet

Pogue, Michael G., 2012, The Aventiinae, Boletobiinae, Eublemminae, Pangraptinae, Phytometrinae, and Scolecocampinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U. S. A., Zootaxa 3153, pp. 1-31 : 15

1. Ledaea perditalis (Walker, 1859) Lost Owlet

( Figs. 18–19 , Map 11)

Identification. Forewing length 10.0–13.0 mm. Ledaea perditalis has a light brown forewing with a black, oblique band from end of discal cell to posterior margin. This band is reduced to a few black scales forming a thin line at end of discal cell and broadens abruptly toward posterior margin. This black oblique band is adjacent to a distal, dark gray, indistinct band from subapically on costa to posterior margin. Orbicular and reniform spots are tiny black dots. Subterminal line is a series of irregular black spots that become contiguous in posterior third. Outer margin of forewing is angulate in middle. Hind wing is white to light brown with an incomplete double band of black scales in approximately the distal 2/3 of wing. This double band seems to be a continuation of the black forewing band. Adjacent to the light brown marginal band is a faint series of black spots that seem to be a continuation of the subterminal line in the forewing.

Flight period. 14–15 June.

Collected localities. North Carolina: Swain Co.: 0.5 km from mouth of Chambers Creek, 300 feet up hillside on NW side; 0.2 km W of mouth of Hazel Creek. (2 specimens)

Elevation range. 1900–1990 ft. (579–607 m)

General distribution. Distributed from Maine to Florida and west to Michigan, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Larval hosts. Common buttonbush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis L., Rubiaceae ) ( Tietz 1972) and woolgrass ( Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth, Cyperaceae ) ( Covell 1984).

MAP 11. Collecting localities of Ledaea perditalis .

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 32. Adults. 1, Oruza albocostaliata, m, Maryland, Prince Georges Co., Aquasco, 12 June 1997, J. Glaser; 2, Metalectra discalis, m, Tennessee, Blount Co., Ace Gap Trailhead, GSMNP, 24 July 2000, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00154045; 3, Metalectra discalis, m, Maryland, Prince Georges Co., Adelphi, 17 Aug. 1969, D. C. Ferguson; 4, Metalectra quadrisignata, m, North Carolina, Jackson Co., Balsam, 3200 ft., 21 June 1974, D. C. Ferguson; 5, Metalectra quadrisignata, f, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Violette’s Lock, 29 July 1975, D. C. Ferguson; 6, Metalectra richardsi, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 11 Aug. 1980, D. C. Ferguson; 7, Metalectra richardsi, m, South Carolina, Charleston Co., McClellanville, Wedge Plantation; 1 May 1972, D. C. Ferguson; 8, Metalectra tantillus, m, South Carolina, Charleston Co., McClellanville, Wedge Plantation; 23 Apr. 1974, D. C. Ferguson; 9, Metalectra tantillus, m, Florida, Putnam Co., Welaka, University Reserve, 7 Apr. 1971, D. C. Ferguson; 10, Dyspyralis illocata, f, Canada, Nova Scotia, Queens Co., Lake Kajimukujik, 20 July 1957, D. C. Ferguson; 11, Dyspyralis illocata, m, Canada, Nova Scotia, Queens Co., Lake Kajimukujik, 21 July 1957, D. C. Ferguson; 12, Dyspyralis nigellus, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 8 July 1986, D. C. Ferguson; 13, Dyspyralis nigellus, m, Maryland, Baltimore Co., Soldiers Delight, 17 July 1993, J. Glaser; 14, Dyspyralis puncticosta, m, New Hampshire, Winnipesaukee, Long Island, 4 Aug. 1972, E. Jäckh; 15 Dyspyralis puncticosta, f, Arkansas, Washington Co., Devil’s Den State Park, 7 July 1966, R. W. Hodges; 16, Eublemma minima, m, Tennessee, Cocke Co., Foothills Parkway, GSMNP, 17 Sep. 2001, J. Brown, USN- MENT 00152848; 17, Eublemma minima, m, Texas, Cameron Co., Brownsville, 9 Nov. 1969, A. & M. E. Blanchard; 18, Ledaea perditalis, m, Florida, Collier Co., Big Cypress Swamp Preserve, Turner Rd., 1.5 mi US Hwy 41, 18 Mar. 1997, M. G. Pogue; 19, Ledaea perditalis, m, Florida, Putnam Co., Welaka, University of Florida Preserve, 26 Mar. 1987, D. C. Ferguson; 20, Pangrapta decoralis, m, North Carolina, Swain Co., 8.3 mi NE GSMNP ent. on 441, Kephart Prong trail, 2825 ft., 10 June 2003, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00155798; 21, Pangrapta decoralis, m, Tennessee, Cocke Co., 2.6 mi from St. Rt. 321, Greenbrier entrance, 1620 ft., 27 July 2007, M. Pogue, D. Adamski, M. Metz, GSMNP 1209; 22, Pangrapta decoralis, f, North Carolina, Swain Co., 13.5 mi NE GSMNP ent. on 441, Thomas Divide trail, 4634 ft., 8 June 2003, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00155702; 23, Pangrapta decoralis, f, Tennessee, Sevier Co., Jake’s Creek trail, near Campsite # 27, GSMNP, 22 July 2004, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00221776; 24, Pangrapta decoralis, f, Tennessee, Sevier Co., 1.3 mi W of Jct. 441 & Clingmans Dome Rd., Road Prong trail, 5260 ft., 28 July 2003, M. G. Pogue, USNMENT 00156584; 25, Hemeroplanis habitalis, m, Florida, Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station, 19 Feb. 1985, D. C. Ferguson; 26, Hemeroplanis habitalis, m, Oklahoma, Murray Co., Arbuckle Mts., 1 km W Turner Falls, 19 – 30 July 1984, Don & Mignon Davis; 27, Hemeroplanis habitalis, m, Florida, Hillsborough Co., Lutz, 10 May 1916; 28, Hemeroplanis obliqualis, m, Oklahoma, Sequoyah Co., Tenkiller Lake, 3 mi W Blackgum, 6 – 9 July 1979, D. & M. Davis; 29, Spargaloma sexpunctata, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 8 Aug. 1984, D. C. Ferguson; 30, Spargaloma sexpunctata, f, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 6 Aug. 1984, D. C. Ferguson; 31, Hyperstrotia pervertens, m, Maryland, Dorchester Co., 3 mi E Hurlock, 17 May 2004, J. Glaser; 32, Hyperstrotia pervertens, f, New York, Erie Co., Sardinia, Richmond Gulf, 25 July 1940, L. R. Rupert.