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Genus Balsa

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths and kin)

Family Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)

Subfamily Balsinae

Genus Balsa

Numbers

3 species in North America (nearctica.com)

3 species in Canada

Size

wingspan about 25-30 mm

Identification

forewing light to medium brown with dark longitudinal lines on the distal half (in two species) and 2 or 3 thicker oblique lines running from the costa part-way across the wing in all species

hindwing light yellowish or grayish with a thin dark terminal line

Range

eastern North America

Season

adults fly from May to August

Food

larval host preferences vary by species but the list includes the leaves of apple, cherry, elm, hawthorn, pear, plum

Internet References

pinned adult images of all 3 species in North America (CBIF)

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 18 June, 2005 - 8:36am

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