Explanation of Names
Species name "saucia" translates from Latin as "wounded" and may refer to the tiny red wing spots
Numbers
A second species in the genus occurs in South America, Phaloesia flaviventris.
Range
Three southmost counties of Texas, south to Venezuela
Season
Has been recorded in south Texas in April, May, July, August, October, November.
Food
Larvae host on Tournefortia - Family Boraginaceae. Host in Texas is Bastard Rat-root, T. volubilis. Adults use a variety of nectar sources including Crucita, Eupatorium odoratum; Whitebrush, Aloysia gratissima; and Texas Sabal Palm, Sabal texana.
Print References
Knudson, E.C., and C. Bordelon 2004. Illustrated Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, TX, Vol. 2B: Macro-Moths. Texas Lepidoptera Survey.
