Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Bagisara rectifascia (Grote, 1874)
Explanation of Names
From the Latin "rectus" (straight) + "fascia" (a band, fillet); refers to the lines or bands on the forewing, and is the origin of the common name
Numbers
Twelve
Bagisara species are found in America north of Mexico.
(1)Size
Forewing length 12-14 mm.
Identification
Adult: forewing have no darkening at the reniform spot and no noticeable dark shading of the three lines; outer margin rounded; male foretibia and forefemur without black-tipped scale tufts.
Range
Southern United States north to Massachusetts and Manitoba, south to Costa Rica.
Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Season
Most records for adults are May to September. Earlier and later records in the southern regions.
Food
Larvae have been reported to feed on:
Malvaviscus spp.
(2),
Hibiscus (3), and other plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae)
Corylus spp.
(4),
Ostrya virginiana, and possibly others in the birch family (Betulaceae)
Local populations however appear to exhibit strong preferences for a single species from the above.
See Also
Wavy Lined Mallow Moth (
Bagisara repanda) forewing has darkening at the reniform spot and also some dark shading of the three lines; outer margin slightly angulate; wing length 10-12 mm; male foretibia and forefemur with large dense black-tipped scale tufts
Bob Patterson noted "...photos of B. rectifascia are apt to appear glossy or washed out, while those of B. repanda tend to come out much darker overall."
9168 B. repanda - Forewing st. line typically meets the inner margin slightly before the anal angle. See distribution. "Male foretibia and forefemur with large, dense, black-tipped scale tufts; outer margin of forewing slightly angulate." (Ferguson, 1997).
9169 B. rectifascia - Forewing st. line typically meets the inner margin at the anal angle. See distribution. "Male foretibia and forefemur without large scale tufts; outer margin of forewing not angulate." (Ferguson, 1997).
9170 B. pacifica - Forewing st. line typically meets the inner margin at the anal angle. See distribution. May require dissection in Texas where rectifascia is also present. "Male foretibia and forefemur without large scale tufts; outer margin of forewing not angulate." (Ferguson, 1997).
Print References
Ferguson, Douglas C. 1997. Review of the New World Bagisarinae with description of two new species from the southern United States (Noctuidae).
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society. 51(4): 344-357.
(2)
Lafontaine J. D., and B. C. Schmidt 2010. Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America North of Mexico. p. 44.
(1)
