Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Schinia indiana (Smith, 1908)
(1)
Heliolonche indiana Kwiat 1908
(2)
Phylogenetic sequence # 932069
(1) Identification
Kwiat (1908) original description as
Heliolonche indiana is available online.
(2)
Adults have crimson forewing with a pale tan to gray fringe (seen only in fresh individuals).
Hindwings are black with white fringe.
Range
Limited range of Minnesota to Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, with disjunct populations in Arkansas and Texas.
Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Habitat
Prairies and sandy open woodlands where the larval food plant Phlox pilosa grows.
Season
Adults appear when downy phlox is in bloom during April to July.
Food
The larval host is
Phlox pilosa (downy phlox).
Adults usually found during daylight hours resting on fresh phlox blooms which they resemble in color.
Remarks
Listed as rare in Minnesota and is on the legally protected State Endangered species list in Wisconsin and Michigan. Few records from Arkansas and Texas.
See Also
The forewing is rather distinctive and not likely to be confused with others of the genus.
Print References
Swengel, A.B., & S.R. Swengel. 1999. Observations on Schinia indiana and Schinia lucens in the midwestern United States (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Holarctic Lepidoptera 6(1), p. 11-21.