Species Achatia distincta - Distinct Quaker - Hodges#10518

10518

Achatia distincta Hübner, 1813

Phylogenetic sequence # 932800

ACHATIA: from the Latin "achates" (agate [the semiprecious stone]) - perhaps a reference to the adult's various colors arranged in stripes or bands, or blended together, as seen in the stone

the only species in this genus in North America. (1)

wingspan 30-37 mm (2)

Adult: forewing pale brownish-gray with short dark band running parallel to inner margin midway along the wing, and a broader band extending diagonally foreward to the costa (described in Covell's Guide as "bent black bar connecting AM and PM lines in lower median area"); subterminal area whitish, bordered distally by slightly darker band, both containing several thin black longitudinal lines; reniform spot large and yellowish, orbicular spot large and whitish; several short oblique dark bars distributed along the costa; hindwing grayish-brown, darker at outer margin

Larva: green with thin white or yellow stripes and numerous minute white spots; head sea green, shiny; middorsal stripe thin, with white spot to either side; subdorsal stripe thickened, white; supraspiracular line very faint and broken; spiracular and subspiracular lines thin, creamy (Caterpillars of Eastern Forests)

Throughout most of eastern North America. (3)

Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

adults fly from late March to early May (2)

larvae present from April to June

larvae feed on leaves of ash, birch, butternut, flowering crabapple, grape, hickory, maple, oak

one generation per year

Life cycle images:

1.larva 2.larva 3.adult 4.pupal case

Covell, p. 108, plate 21 #8. (2)

Moth Photographers Group

Butterflies and Moths of North America