Species Virbia opella - Tawny Virbia - Hodges#8118

8118

Virbia opella (Grote, 1863)

FWL: 11mm (1)

WS: 22-28 mm, based on Moth Photographers Group specimens (2)

Adult: A highly phenotypically variable species ranging from a dark charcoal form to a pinkish form. Nearly all have a brown discal spot in the hindwing, although the spot is obscured in the dark form, and paler forms may lack the discal spot. Head olive brown. Antennal scales olive brown. Third segment of labial palpus exceeding front of head by at least half of entire length, first and second segments orange rufous, third segment olive brown. Legs cinnamon, occasionally suffused with orange-rufous scales. Dorsal surface olive brown to dark drab with a sepia discal spot present, ventral surface clay suffused with salmon extending from adbasal region through medial region. (1)

Genitalia:

♀

♂

Occurs from Maine, west to Illinois and south to Texas. (1)

Multivoltine, and adult males and females fly at night and can be collected at a black light in habitats ranging from oak forest to scrub oak. (1)

Larvae have been reared on dandelion (Taraxacum) (1)

Virbia nigricans is restricted to western New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, and is a much smaller, darker species (FWL 9.3 mm) compared to the larger V. opella (FWL 11 mm). (1)

Virbia fergusoni can be confused with the pinkish form of V. opellahas, but has darker forewings and more pronounced color contrast in the hindwings. (1)