Species Profile for 
A Noctuid Moth  (Zanclognatha gypsalis)

Taxonomic InformationEcology and Life HistoryConservation StatusDistribution

Taxonomic Information-back to top-
Unique Identifier:  ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.107734
Element Code  IILEY43030
Informal TaxonomyAnimals, Invertebrates -  Insects ,  Butterflies and Moths
Scientific Taxonomy
KingdomPhylumClassOrderFamilyGenus
Animalia  Mandibulata  Insecta  Lepidoptera  Noctuidae  Zanclognatha 
Scientific NameZanclognatha gypsalis - (Grote, 1880) 
Concept Reference Hodges, Ronald W., et al., eds. 1983. Check List of the Lepidoptera of America North of Mexico. E.W. Classey Limited and The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, London. 284 pp.  
Concept Reference CodeB83HOD01HQUS 
Name Used in Concept Reference Zanclognatha gypsalis  
Taxonomic CommentsThis is the large southern member of the THERALIS-GYPSALIS complex and note that it comes in both the plain gray and chalky white forms. This genus needs revision and the true number of species in this complex remains uncertain. The conservative interim usage here follows Tim McCabe's suggestions to D.Schweitzer mostly of February 2001. Both of these experts are nearly certain there are two species, possibly more. McCabe finds through examination of genitalia and field samples that the traditional sorting of specimens with a chalky median area as GYPSALIS and the plain gray ones as THERALIS does not work--both species come in both forms and there are a few intermediates. The name THERALIS is properly applied to the northern species and the name GYPSALIS is available for the southern one. Both species occur in the southern Appalachians but usually sort easily on size--with GYPSALIS being much larger. However in the lowlands east of the mountains there seems to be a gap between about southeastern Virginia (GYPSALIS) and Cape Cod, Massachusetts (THERALIS) where both are apparently absent. McCabe points out though that MINORALIS from Long Island, New York is a synonym of THERALIS. 
Link to Comprehensive Reporthttp://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Zanclognatha+gypsalis

Ecology and Life History -back to top-
Description 
Size

Conservation Status-back to top-
Global Status
Global StatusLast ReviewedLast ChangedRounded Global Status
G4  2001-02-08  2001-02-08  G4 Apparently Secure  
Reasons 
National Status(es)
Nation/SubnationRank
United StatesNNR
 North CarolinaSU
 VirginiaS1S3


Other Statuses


Distribution-back to top-
Endemismendemic to a single nation 
Distribution by Nation/Subnations
National/Subnation  ExtirpatedExoticNative
United States falsefalsetrue
 North Carolina  (NC) falsefalsetrue
 Virginia  (VA) falsefalsetrue

Distribution by U.S. CountiesVA
Code NameYear Last ObservedOccurrence Count
51800Suffolk (city)19851

Distribution by U.S. Watersheds
HUC CodeNameYear Last ObservedOccurrence Count
03010202Blackwater19851

All usage of this data must abide by NatureServes data usage license which can be found at: https://services.natureserve.org/idd/developer/license.html.

Citation:  NatureServe. 2006.  NatureServe’s Central Databases. Arlington, VA. U.S.A.

Acknowledgement Statement:    This information is provided by NatureServe (www.natureserve.org) and its network of Natural Heritage member programs, a leading source of information about rare and endangered species, and threatened ecosystems.