Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Nemoria lixaria (Guenée, [1858])
* phylogenetic sequence # 206750
Identification
Adult: wings pale green with jagged white AM and PM lines and red terminal lines; tiny black discal dots on all wings; fringe checkered red and white; abdominal spots white ringed with red; melanic specimens brownish-green with dark brown lines and fringe
(2)
"semi-melananic winter form" occurs in the Deep South from November through March and is fairly common.
(1)
does not occur in light brown spring form, as does N. bistriaria
Range
coastal New Jersey to Florida, west to eastern Texas and Arkansas
(2); doesn't reach northern states or Canada
Season
adults fly from April to June, and July to October (two broods) in the north; all year in the deep south
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of oak, especially red oaks such as
Shumard's Oak (
Quercus shumardii), a species of southern bottomlands.
See Also
The green summer form of
Nemoria bistriaria can be difficult to distinguish from
Nemoria lixaria.
(1)
Print References
Covell, pp. 373-374, plate 46 #4
(2)
Wagner, p. 83--larva of
N. mimosaria (3)
Ferguson, D. C., 1985. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 18.1: p. 49; pl. 2.15-22.
(1)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.
Maryland Moths live adult images plus dates and larval foodplant (Larry Line, Maryland)
Dallas Butterflies pinned adult image and larval foodplant (Dale Clark, Texas)
