Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Iridopsis clivinaria (Guenée, [1858])
original combination Boarmia clivinaria Guenée, [1858]
syn. Cleora profanata Barnes & McDunnough, 1917
syn. Anacamptodes clivinaria impia Rindge, 1966; Bull. USNM 132 (3): 195
= Anacamptodes clivinaria; redescription in Rindge (1966) Bull. USNM 132 (3): 193
* phylogenetic sequence #194500
Identification
Adult: forewing triangular, pale gray in strip along costa, and medium brownish-gray in lower and outer portions; PM line fine, black, slightly wavy, bordered distally by brown line; AM line fine, black, double, reaches only halfway to costa; ST line white, double, scalloped, contrasting against gray ground color; terminal line scalloped; hindwing color and markings similar to forewing
Larva: a grayish-brown twig mimic. Four color morphs: black, gray, reddish, and yellow with slight dorsal bumps on segments two and eight
(1)Range
British Columbia to southern California, east to Idaho, Utah, Colorado
(2)
Arizona reports of clivinaria currently showing in BugGuide are likely misplaced I. obliquaria.
Season
adults fly from March to July
larvae present in July and August
Food
larvae feed mainly on leaves of
mountain mahogany (
Cercocarpus spp.) and
Antelope Bitterbrush (
Purshia tridentata); also feeds on cherry (
Prunus spp.), and sometimes
Snowbrush Ceanothus (
Ceanothus velutinus)
Life Cycle
one generation per year; females lay up to 700 eggs each (average 350) in clusters in bark crevices; first two instars are leaf skeletonizers; overwinters as a pupa in the soil
See Also
Iridopsis obliquaria is found in what Rindge (1966) called the Sonoran Zone from the Mohave Desert of California to the Trans-Pecos area and Edwards Plateau in Texas.
(2)
Iridopsis sanctissima is limited to southern California. It is smaller than
clivinaria and has more clearly defined maculation.
(2) Print References
Rindge FH (1966) Revision of the Moth genus Anacamptodes. Bulletin of the USNM 132 (3):
193-195, pl. 22-25 (34Mb PDF)
Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, Moths of Western North America, Pl. 28.10m; p. 208
