Other Common Names
Creosote Caterpillar (larva)
Creosote Bush Caterpillar (larva)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Digrammia colorata (Grote, 1883)
Semiothisa colorata Grote, 1883
Synonyms
Cleora godmani Druce, 1892
Sciagraphia conarata Grossbeck, 1908
Phasiane davisata Cassino, 1928
Size
Ferguson (2008) listed the forewing length.
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♂ 9-16 mm.
♀ 10-15 mm.
Identification
Adult - forewing ground color variably pale yellowish to grayish-brown, with sparse to heavy speckling mixed with yellowish or orangish scales; four dark marks along costa represent tops of AM, median, PM, and subterminal lines, which are otherwise faint or lacking; discal spot elliptical, paler or hollow in center, usually situated distal to dark marking where median line meets costa; diffuse dark gray band (sometimes mixed with orange) across subterminal area, and gray shading in terminal area; terminal line a series of black dashes; fringe checkered on all wings; hindwing grayish, heavily speckled, with dark circular discal spot. Ferguson notes that females are less heavily marked than males.
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Specimen identified by DNA analysis:
Larva - a twig mimic, supposedly able to mimic three distinct forms of the creosote bush: the young shoots, brown stems, and gray twigs.
Range
California to Texas and Colorado.
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(3),
(4),
(1)Habitat
Deserts with creosote bush.
(1)Season
Adults fly nearly year round from February to November.
(1)See Also
Can be confused with the following:
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Print References
Ferguson, D.C. 2008.
The Moths of North America, Fascicle 17.2. The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation. p. 237, plate 6, figs. 9-12.
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Grote, A.R. 1883. New species and notes on structure of moths and genera.
The Canadian Entomologist 15(1):
7.
Schramke, M.L. 1979. Biological control of
Larrea Tridentata: insect fauna survey. (
abstract)
Internet References
pinned adult image and
foodplant (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)
