Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Garella nilotica (Rogenhofer, 1881)
Sarrothripus nilotica Rogenhofer, 1882
Characoma nilotica
Paraxia chamaeleon Möschler, 1890
Clettharra littora Bethune-Baker, 1894
Thalpochares laurea H. Druce, 1898
Nycteola proteella Dyar, 1898
Characoma nilotica nigronotata Warren, 1913
C. nilotica macula Warren, 1913
C. nilotica basibrunnea Warren, 1913
Characoma albifascia Draudt, 1935
Phylogenetic sequence #931141
Identification
Adult - extremely variable. "We have 100 excellent photos (and) we still won't have seen all the variation to be seen. Amazing critter for plasticity of pattern/coloration" - Bob Patterson.
Crumb (1956) describes the larva.
(4)Range
Southern California, Arizona, and Colorado east to Quebec and Nova Scotia and south to Texas, Missouri, and Florida.
(4),
(3)Season
Adults fly in the west from May through August.
(3)Food
The larvae feed on various trees and shrubs in at least five families of broad-leaved plants, including Cynometra, Heritiera, Mangifera, Terminalia, Rhododendron, Bucida (including Bucida buceras), Canocarpus, Olea, Prunus, Salix and Tamarix species.
Remarks
Possibly spread around the globe by early sea trade.
(1)Print References
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. pl.46.8f, p.263.
(3)
