Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
P. carduidactylus (alternate spelling of specific epithet)
Numbers
one of 9 species in this genus in North America listed at
All-LepsIdentification
Adult: forewing brown with darker costal border that widens to form a triangle at top of postmedial line; subterminal line edged on both sides with white; hindwing gray with tiny black triangle on anal margin.
(1)
inner margin of forewing concave, flaring noticeably near tip; reddish shading usually present in subterminal area; forewing lacks "stippled effect" characteristic of Geranium Plume Moth (see See Also section below)
Larva: head black; body of early instars orange; black spots on last abdominal segment; final instar off-white, turning yellowish to pink at maturity
Range
Labrador to Virginia, west across Canada, south to Texas
(1)Season
adults fly April-September
(1)Food
larvae feed on thistles
(1) and all parts of artichokes
See Also
Geranium Plume Moth Amblyptilia pica forewing has several pale transverse lines along inner margin giving a "stippled effect", and usually lacks reddish shading in subterminal area (
compare images of both species by Jim Vargo at MPG)
Paraplatyptilia (=Stenoptilodes) carolina has yellowish forewing whose inner margin doesn't flare noticeably near the tip (see image in above MPG link)
Print References
Covell, p. 391 & plate 58 #21
(1)Internet References
description of all life stages plus overview of biology, control methods, common name reference (U. of California at Davis)
Contributed by
Mike Boone on 18 August, 2006 - 5:40pm
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeodLast updated 2 December, 2006 - 5:09pm
