Cherokeea

Cherokeea
Male
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Cherokeea Quinter & Sullivan, 2014
Species:	C. attakullakulla
Binomial name
Cherokeea attakullakulla Quinter & Sullivan, 2014

Cherokeea attakullakulla is a moth in the Noctuidae family and only species in the genus Cherokeea. It is found in North Carolina (Swain and Macon Counties in the mountains and Rutherford County in the foothills) and Georgia (Rabun County).

The length of the forewings is 9.8–11.7 mm. The forewings are variable, ranging from nearly uniform dull grey to much more contrasting and mottled, especially in females. The antemedial line is excurved, doubled, with pale grey to nearly white filling. It is slightly scalloped and composed of black scales. The medial line or shade is obscure and the postmedial line is sinuous. The basal, medial and terminal areas are predominantly uniform grey, with some reddish-brown scaling in the medial and basal areas in some individuals. The hindwings are pale grey and unmarked except for a faint discal spot. There are two patterns of maculation, mottled and plain. Intermediates are seen as well. Adults have been recorded on wing in June. There is one generation per year.

The larvae probably feed on Arundinaria appalachiana.

Etymology

The genus name is derived from Cherokee, a Nation of Native American people who occupied the southern Appalachians. The species name refers to the Supreme Cherokee Leader (from 1761–1775) who represented his people in London in 1730 and at home in the Carolinas while negotiating various peace treaties.^[1]

References

1. Quinter, E.L.; Sullivan, J.B. 2014: A new apameine genus and species from the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae). ZooKeys, 421: 181-191. doi:10.3897/zookeys.421.7727