Macaria distribuaria (Hübner, 1825)
Southern Chocolate Angle
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: S1S2
VA DGIF Tier: None
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: With a wingspan of 28-35 mm, the Southern Chocolate Angle is large for a Macaria species. It has a purplish gray base color with wavy black lines and a wide brown band near the outer margin of the forewing. The apex of the forewing is lighter than the surrounding brown area, a similar color to the basal half of the wing. The pattern continues to the back wing, although the outer brown band to a lesser extent. The head is rusty-orange colored.
Similar species: Although many Macaria species can be a challenge to differentiate, the Southern Chocolate Angle is larger than most and darker colored than any of the species that can be found in Virginia.
North American Range: Coastal Virginia and North Carolina, through Florida to Arkansas and e. Texas.
VA Observations by Locality: Arlington | Dinwiddie
Flight season and broods: It flies all year.
Habitat and Food Plants: Larvae feed on pines and adults can be expected to be found in pine forests
Behavior and Ecology: Presently unknown
Population trend and potential threats: Populations should be monitored and habitats preserved
Management practices: None yet
References: Covell, Charles V. Covell, Jr.; A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America; Special Publication No. 12; Virginia Museum of Natural History in association with the Smithsonian Institution; 1984, 2005. P. 348.
Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University. Web application at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=6336 Accessed: 20Apr2013