Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Bertholdia trigona (Grote, 1879)
Halysidota trigona Grote, 1879
* phylogentic sequence #930390
Explanation of Names
Trigona derives from Latin meaning "triangle".
Size
Forewing length 16-18 mm.
(1)Identification
Adult: forewing long, pointed, brown with large pale yellow translucent patch along costa near apex, and 2-3 yellowish spots along inner margin near base; several black dots within translucent patch; shape of patch is approximately rectangular, and its margins are fairly straight; terminal line checkered pale and dark; hindwing short, white, diffused with pink along inner margin and at base; abdomen red; thorax brown with red accents.
Range
Southwestern United States from Arizona to Texas, north in the mountains to Wyoming and South Dakota.
Season
Adults fly mid-July and August.
(1)Food
First through third instar larvae feed on algae, moss, and other small
epiphytes growing on citrus trees. Fourth instar larvae switch to herbaceous plants
(2). McFarland had young larvae feed on lichens from the stems of
mountain mahogany (
Cerocarpus).
(1)Life Cycle
Females lay single layers of green eggs.
(1)Remarks
These moths emit ultrasonic clicks that appear to jam the echolocation system of bats that might prey on them (
ScienceNOW).
See Also
Bertholdia specularis forwing patch is irregular-shaped (not rectangular), and its distal margin is scalloped (not straight) -
see pinned photo by Matthew Barnes, and
live photo by Mark Gurney
Print References
Grote, A.R. 1879. A new
Halsidota collected by Professor Snow. The North American Entomologist 1(6):
46
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. University of California Press. pl.49.1f, p.273
(1)Internet References
pinned adult images (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)
pinned adult image by Paul Opler, plus US distribution map (butterfliesandmoths.org)
pinned adult image (New Mexico State U.)