Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Hypercompe permaculata (Packard, 1872)
Turuptiana permaculata (Packard, 1872)
Leucarctia permaculata Packard, 1872
Phylogenetic sequence # 930321
(1) Numbers
Lafontaine & Schmidt (2010) listed 6 species of the genus in America north of Mexico.
(1)Size
Powell & Opler (2009) listed the forewing length 16-19 mm.
(2)Identification
Adult: forewing white with many black solid rectangular spots arranged loosely in rows; hindwing white; thorax white with black spots (including a row down the middle); legs black with large white patches
Range
western United States and southwestern Canada
Habitat
short-grass prairies, meadows
Season
Powell & Opler (2009) reported the main flight period is June to August.
(2)Life Cycle
Larva; pupa; newly emerged adult; fully emerged adult
See Also
Giant Leopard Moth (
Hypercompe scribonia) doesn't occur in the west, and its forewing has at least some hollow spots
other species of
Hypercompe are restricted to the far south in North America - see
links to distribution maps for 4 species
Leopard Moth (
Zeuzera pyrina) forewing has more numerous spots, and legs are all black
Salt Marsh Moth (
Estigmene acrea) forewing has fewer and smaller spots, and thorax is not spotted (
compare images of both species at CBIF)
Print References
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler, 2009.
Moths of Western North America. University of California Press, p. 270; plate 47, fig. 27.
(2)Internet References
pinned adult images (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)
pinned adult image and
seasonal distribution chart plus other info (Strickland Entomological Museum, U. of Alberta)