HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp

Clickable Guide

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Previous events

TaxonomyBrowse

Info

ImagesLinksBooksData

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Owlet Moths and kin (Noctuoidea) » Erebidae » Tiger and Lichen Moths (Arctiinae) » Tiger Moths (Arctiini) » Arctiina » Virbia

Genus Virbia

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths and kin)

Family Erebidae

Subfamily Arctiinae (Tiger and Lichen Moths)

Tribe Arctiini (Tiger Moths)

Subtribe Arctiina

Genus Virbia

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Virbia Walker, 1854

Bepara Walker, 1865a

Cathocida Hampson, 1901, misspelling

Cothocida Walker, 1865b

Crocata authors, misspelling

Crocota authors, not Hübner, 1823

Cytorus Grote, 1866

Eubaphe authors, not Hübner, 1823

Holomelina Herrich-Schäffer, 1855

Terna Walker, 1865a

Numbers

Fourteen species of Virbia are found in America north of Mexico.(1)

Size

wingspan 18-28 mm, based on numerous photos by Jim Vargo at MPG

Identification

Most adults are yellowish above on forewings, with bright hindwings, a typical startling pattern. H. laeta is striking dark brown/black with pink hindwings.

Range

includes eastern North America

Habitat

fields, open areas with hostplant; come to lights at night, but also found flying in daytime

Season

adults fly May-September

Food

Larvae probably feed on various herbs. Can be reared on dandelion, plantain.

Print References

Covell, pp. 64-65, plate (2)

Internet References

pinned adult images of 9 species and photos of related species by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)

pinned adult images of 6 species (CBIF)

adult H. aurantiaca and H. opella (Larry Line, Maryland)

North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists for that state: ferruginosa, nigricans, opella, rubicundaria

Works Cited

1.	Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico. Donald J. Lafontaine, B. Christian Schmidt. 2010. ZooKeys 40: 1–239 .

2.	Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America Charles V. Covell, Jr. 2005.

Contributed by Cotinis on 30 June, 2004 - 9:47pm
Additional contributions by Mike Boone, Robin McLeod, Maury Heiman, ceiseman, Kyhl Austin
Last updated 3 January, 2017 - 5:26pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version