Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly Thyris sepulchralis; placed in genus Pseudothyris by Thiele in 1986
Explanation of Names
Thyris is Greek for "small door" (based on Internet searches).
Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America listed at
All-Leps
Identification
Adult: wings black with large median and other smaller white spots; those at margin give wings a ragged look. Hindwing has white median patch.
(1)Range
Maine to Florida, west to Texas, north to Michigan and Ontario
Food
Larvae feed on Clematis and grape (Vitis spp).
Adults take nectar from flowers of herbaceous plants, and have been seen taking fluids from damp sand (guide photos and photos in Internet references).
Remarks
Conspicuous when seen flying in daytime because of bold pattern.
(1)See Also
Spotted Thyris (
Thyris maculata) is smaller, and its forewing has orange shading and fewer white spots
Print References
Covell, p. 393, plate 56 #13
(1)Internet References
distribution and
pinned and live adult images by James Adams and Randy Emmitt respectively (Dalton State College, Georgia)
live adult images by Tom Murray and Jay Cossey, plus photos of related species (Moth Photographers Group)
live adult image and date (Dale Clark, Texas)
live adult image and date plus other info (John Himmelman, Connecticut)
pinned adult image and collection site map (All-Leps)
pinned adult image and photos of related species by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)
presence in Ontario; list (NHIC; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)
presence in Florida; list and taxonomic placement in
Pseudothyris by Thiele (John Heppner, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)
