A New Species of Salamander in North Carolina Desmognathus planiceps, Rockingham County
Read biodiversity-related publications by NCBP members.
Abstract: From May 31, 2025 to June 04, 2025 a survey of spiders and other arthropods was conducted at the 2,600-acre Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary, in the barrier island portion of Currituck County, North Carolina.
The habitat in this diverse area includes extensive Freshwater Marshes, Maritime Forest, Stable Dune Barrens, Ponds (shallow, rain filled), Old Fields, Lawns or mowed fields,…
Abstract: Spider surveys were conducted at two Plant Conservation Program bogs in Henderson County, North Carolina. Research methods were sweep net, beat sheet, litter sifting and visual observations day and night. Each site was visited at least once at night and each was visited three times from spring to fall.
Bat Fork Bog was visited on 30 June 2024 daytime, 26 Jun…
Abstract: Coleotechnites nigra (Busck), revised status (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the correct name for the species formerly known as C. nigritus Hodges. Until now, nothing has been published about this species beyond the fact that the holotype was accidentally reared from Hypericum (Hypericaceae) in the vicinity of…
Abstract: In this, the first of two publications about the odonate fauna of North Carolina, USA, we present a brief historical account of odonatology in the state, describe the major biogeographic regions, and provide species accounts for each of the 53 species of damselflies (Zygoptera) known to occur in North Carolina. The second publication will provide species accounts for the 136…
Abstract: In this, the second of two publications about the odonate fauna of North Carolina, USA, we present accounts for each of the 136 species of dragonflies (Anisoptera) recorded in the state. These species accounts draw on our database of over 63,000 specimen, photographic, sight, and literature records of odonates spanning nearly 200 years (1826–2023). Each account describes the…
One of the noteworthy, but troubling, finds of the 2021-2 NCBP biodiversity survey of the New Hope Bottomlands was a strong decline in the number of breeding bird species compared to what had been recorded in a survey conducted in the 1980s. To confirm that this was not just a particularly bad year, with numbers recovering to a more normal level thereafter, a more intensive breeding bird…
The 2021-2 survey conducted by the NCBP of the New Hope Creek corridor in Durham County included the Hollow Rock Nature Park but focused primarily on the floodplain habitats along the creek itself. An upland area located east of Pickett Road was noted, however, for the maturity of its stand and its somewhat unusual composition, with a large number of Shortleaf Pines and Post Oaks intermixed…
The latest research into leaf-mining weevils.
New larval host records for three species of leaf-mining weevils in the eastern USA
Abstract: We discuss 46 species of North American leaf-mining leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Megalopodidae), plus one external feeder observed to spin its cocoon within the leaf mine of another insect. For each species, we review previous records of larval and adult hosts and associated hymenopteran parasitoids, augmenting these with our own observations, including the first…
Abstract: Leafmining in early instars is newly reported for three species of tortricid moths in the eastern USA. Argyrotaenia amatana (Dyar) was reared from leaf-tying larvae found in association with recently vacated mines on Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc. (Rubiaceae) in Florida. Aterpia approximana (Heinrich) was reared from a larva mining in Samolus parviflorus…
Abstract: Leafmining in early instars is newly reported for three species of tortricid moths in the eastern USA. Argyrotaenia amatana (Dyar) was reared from leaf-tying larvae found in association with recently vacated mines on Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc. (Rubiaceae) in Florida. Aterpia approximana (Heinrich) was reared from a larva mining in Samolus parviflorus…
Abstract: From recent surveys of Piedmont rocky river habitats, 22 noteworthy species of lichens and two lichenicolous fungi are presented, including 18 species new to North Carolina, three new to eastern North America, three new to North America and three potentially new to science. Most taxa here reported include amphibious lichens and lichens that otherwise are found in exposed, arid…
Abstract: The lichen biota of eastern North America is fairly well-documented with most taxa reported from terrestrial ecosystems. While some taxa are described as living near water bodies potentially subjected to inundation, no amphibious lichen communities have been described. To address this gap in our understanding of the region’s lichen ecology, thirteen rocky river sites in two…
The survey described in this report was a follow-up to a larger biodiversity inventory conducted by the NCBP in the Durham County portion of the New Hope Creek floodplain in 2021 and 2022. The current study focuses much more narrowly on mapping the distributions within the New Hope floodplain of two of its rarest species, Big Shellbark Hickory (Carya laciniosa), and the White-nymph (…
Arthonia rubrocincta morphologically and anatomically fits the generic concept of Coniocarpon and is here transferred to the latter genus as Coniocarpon rubrocinctum. Specimens from southeastern United States and Bahamas were studied and the range of the species is found to extend north into North Carolina, USA and southeast to the Bahamas. Thatch palm (…
This article details a surprising record for a western dragonfly species by Brian Bockhahn in Onslow County, North Carolina in 2020.
Abstract: One hundred five species of lichenized and allied fungi are reported from recent and historical collections made in the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area in northeastern Wake County, North Carolina, USA. Mitchell Mill is unique among granitic flatrock communities in the southeastern United States by having riparian elements from the Little River, which flows directly over the flatrock…
Read the report from the NCBP's 2021-2022 biodiversity survey of the New Hope Creek floodplain and associated areas.