Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Actebia balanitis (Grote, 1873)
Agrotis balanitis Grote, 1873
Protexarnis balanitis (Grote, 1873)
Size
Forewing length: 16-19 mm.
(1), wingspan: 36-40 mm
(2).
Identification
"Basal, antemedian and postmedian lines complete, marked in black and scalloped outward at each vein. Orbicular and reniform spots finely outlined with dark scales and filled with slightly paler ones; the reniform usually has the lower half filled with darker scales. The hindwings are dirty white, suffused with sooty-brown toward the outer margin, and the veins are lined with dark scales"
(2).
Range
"Northeast AK and western Yukon east to east central SK and north central SD, south to northern CO and west to central WA and the dry interior of BC (Lafontaine, 2004 fig. 26
(3))"
(2).
Habitat
"This species is widely distributed on the dry short-grass prairies of the northern Great Plains at low elevations, and on montane grasslands at higher elevations throughout the Rocky Mountain region"
(1).
Season
"Pacific Northwest records are from late June to mid September"
(1).
Food
"No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants of this species, but it probably feeds on various herbaceous vegetation based upon related species"
(1).
See Also
Several
Euxoa spp. and
Rhyacia clemens can look superficially similar.
Print References
Grote, A.R. 1873. A study of North American Noctuidae.
Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. 1:
97, pl. 3, fig. 14.
Contributed by
Kyhl Austin on 29 August, 2016 - 4:22pm
Last updated 8 January, 2017 - 6:42pm
