Numbers
The only species in this genus in North America.
Identification
forewing reddish-brown edged with cream along costa from base to reniform spot; black basal dash and bar extend through gray orbicular and reniform spots
hindwing white with yellowish-brown terminal line and shading at apex
[description by Charles Covell]
Range
Newfoundland to South Carolina, west to Arizona, north to British Columbia
Season
adults fly from May to August
Food
larvae feed on various plants, including beet, clover, chicory, willow
Remarks
This species was described in 1998 by Don Lafontaine, who distinguished it from the very similar
Ochropleura plecta (Flame Shoulder) which occurs only in Eurasia, and was described by Linnaeus in 1761. A number of Internet sites still incorrectly refer to the North American moth as
Ochropleura plecta.
See Also
Obelisk Dart (
Euxoa obeliscoides) is superficially similar but has large pale reniform and orbicular spots
Internet References
live adult & larva image plus other info (BC Cranberry Growers Assoc.)
live adult images (Larry Line, Maryland)
live adult images (Bob Patterson, Maryland)
live adult image (Jeremy Tatum, Butterflies and Moths of Southern Vancouver Island)
US distribution map incorrectly using the name
O. plecta, a Eurasian species (Moths of North America; USGS)
describing author & date - Lafontaine, 1998 (CBIF)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 16 January, 2005 - 2:51pm
Additional contributions by
John DavisLast updated 24 June, 2009 - 5:49pm
