Meropleon cosmion Dyar, 1924
A noctuid moth
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: S2S3
VA DGIF Tier: None
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: Meropleon cosmion is a medium-sized species measuring approximately 32mm. The forewings are mainly brown with white towards the outer edges, with a pm line of black dots at or near this transition. There is a broad white line following the leading edge of the forewing, from the base of the wing to about 1/2 to 2/3 the distance towards the apex. There is a brown oval-shaped spot at the outside edge of this line that is the same color as the base brown. The hind wing is a uniform light tan in color.
Similar species: There are no other species with the same front wing pattern and color combination in Virginia.
North American Range: It is mainly a southeastern coastal plain species, but has also been found in the southern Appalachians. In Virginia, it has been found in Accomack County and the cities of Arlington and Virginia Beach.
VA Observations by Locality: Arlington
Flight season and broods: Found from September to December, and into January in Florida.
Habitat and Food Plants: Larvae feed on Sugarcane Plumegrass (Erianthus giganteus), Canarygrass (Phalaris species) and Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum).
Behavior and Ecology: Presently Unknown
Population trend and potential threats: Populations should be monitored and habitats preserved.
Management practices: None yet.
References: Bug Guide. 2003. Iowa State University Entomology. At: www.bugguide.net/node/view/346183. Accessed: 15Apr2013
Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University. Web application at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=9425 Accessed: 15Apr2013
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: September 10, 2012).