Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Urola nivalis (Drury, 1773)
original combination Phalaena nivalis Drury, 1773
=
Hydrocampa nivalis; in Emmons (1854) Ag. of N.Y. 5:
233
syn.
Geometra argentata Emmons, 1854; synonymy in Grote (1875) Bull. Buff. Soc. Nat. Sci. 2:
166
syn.
Urola michrochysella Walker, 1863; synonymy in Fernald (1880) No. Am. Ent. 1:
100
syn.
Argyria fimbrialis Dyar, 1914; Rpt. Lep. Smithsonian Bio. Surv. Panama Canal 47:
317
=
Argyria nivalis Dyar, 1914; in Fernald (1880) No. Am. Ent. 1:
100
* phylogenetic sequence #162800
Identification
Silvery-white wings with a "satin" sheen. Rests with wings folded over body, tent-like. Head and palps white. Has small dark mark at midpoint of inner margin of forewing (based on description by Lynn Scott). Hindwing translucent white
(1)Range
Eastern North America: southern Canada, Maine, south to Florida, west to Illinois, Texas. Common in South
Food
Larvae said to feed on grasses
(1)
Larvae pest of Ligustrum(
2)
See Also
Milky Urola (
Argyria lacteella) is very similar but has dark spots on forewing:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Argyria nummulalis forewing has orange strip extending along inner margin, and head and palps are orange:
Print References
Covell, p. 404, plate 48-20
(1)
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - species page with photographs of living and pinned adults.
Butterflies and Moths of North America - species page with range maps and photographs of living adult.
Texas A&M University - pest status and county record.
Lynn Scott's Lepidoptera - photographs of living adults and species notes.