Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Megalographa biloba – (Stephens, 1830)
* polygenetic sequence #931209
formerly Autographa biloba, but placed in its own genus by Lafontaine and Poole in 1991
Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America
Identification
Adult: forewing stigma very large, bilobed, silvery-white; silvery scales in lower half of reniform spot and AM line
Range
southern Canada through United States to Central and South America
Season
adults fly from March/April to October/November; probably all year in far south
Food
larvae feed on alfalfa, barley, cabbage, cranesbill, dandelion, gladiolus, hedge-nettle, kidney-bean, larkspur, lettuce, plantain, sage, tobacco, vervain
Remarks
In the northern parts of its range, is a migrant only (does not overwinter there).
A very widespread species; the type specimen was collected in Venezuela.
Print References
Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, Moths of Western North America;
p. 278, pl. 50.1(1)
Lafontaine, J. D. & R. W. Poole, 1991. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 25.1;
p. 95; pl. 2.1-2(2)Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of living and pinned adults.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - species account with collection map and photos of pinned adults.
live adult image (Jeremy Tatum, Butterflies and Moths of Southern Vancouver Island)
live adult images (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
pinned adult image and distribution (Matthew Barnes, Jamaica)
common name reference plus larval foodplants and flight season (Ohio State U.)
