Heterocampa subrotata
Small heterocampa

Key Characteristics

The Small heterocampa has an average wingspan of 1.1-1.4 inches (2.8-3.6 cm). The forewing (i.e., upper wing) is variable in color, ranging from mixed gray, whitish, greenish and yellowish brown. The forewing has a fairly large, black reniform crescent-shaped spot about a third of the way in from the outer margin and double, brownish zigzag lines. The hindwing (i.e., lower wing) is dirty whitish to gray.

Status and Rank

  • State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
  • State Rank: S1S2 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from critically imperiled to imperiled
  • Global Rank: G4G5 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from apparently secure to secure

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Barry11996
Cass21989
County Distribution Map for [SNAME]

Updated 05/08/2013. Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

The Small heterocampa is found in southern Michigan floodplains where its larval host, hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), grows. The species also is associated with lowland shrub, lowland hardwood, and swamp habitats.

Specific Habitat Needs

Host plant needed in Southern hardwood swamp, Floodplain forest, Inundated shrub swamp

Natural Community Types

Management

The Small heterocampa is extremely rare and considered imperiled or critically imperiled in Michigan. Little is known about this species' status, distribution, life history, ecology and threats in the state. Thus, specific management recommendations can not be provided at this time. In general, surveys should be conducted to determine this species' status and distribution. Research to obtain more information about this species' life history and ecology and efforts to assess threats to this species also are warranted. Sites at which this species has been documented should be protected and maintained. Adequate and suitable habitat at these sites need to be maintained including sufficient densities of the species' host plant. Maintenance and preservation of this species' habitats likely include maintaining lateral and longitudinal connectivity, protecting and/or restoring hydrology and controlling invasive species.

Active Period

Flight from third week of May to third week of August

Survey Methods

Larvae are likely present in June to July and again in August to September. In Michigan, adults have been found from mid-May to mid-August. The best way to survey for this species is by blacklighting at night during the adult flight period, a technique whereby a sheet is stretched across two trees or poles and an ultraviolet light is used to attract moths to the sheet. Moths can be collected directly from the sheet. Insects come to light usually in largest numbers on still, dark, cloudy nights when both temperature and humidity are high. Reports of this species should be documented with a voucher specimen or a good photograph and verification by a species expert.

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/explorer [Accessed May 24, 2013]

References

Survey References

Technical References