Hexorthodes citeria

Hexorthodes sp.?

The reference appears to list 547, which does look similar to your image, as Hexorthodes sp. Why do you think it's Hexorthodes citeria? I asked Don Lafontaine about Jim Eckert's AZ images because it didn't match the original description. He told me that H. accurata, citeria and emendata need to be dissected and barcoded. He also said that H. citeria is known only from TX.

… Steve Nanz, 6 October, 2017 - 3:17pm

Hexorthodes sp.

I searched for the larvae on Brickellia floribunda based on information from local moth expert Noel McFarland's website.

Also Bruce Walsh's Moths of Southeast AZ lists Hexorthodes citeria and states that paratypes are from Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahua Mts., AZ. He thanked Cliff Ferris for the record information.

Perhaps the taxonomy has changed and the information is outdated.

… cwmelton, 27 October, 2017 - 10:16am

I don't see Brickellia floribunda in TX, the type locality for H. citeria, and I found sources saying that H. accurata feeds on Hexorthodes spp. However, according to the original description Hexorthodes is the food plant for citeria and AZ is part of its range. Sorry I missed that previously.

So I guess your image should stay put for now. I still don't know how similar species are eliminated since accurata also feeds on Brickellia so the ID should probably be considered tentative.

Thanks for the follow up.

… Steve Nanz, 29 October, 2017 - 4:07pm