Species Cycnia tenera - Delicate Cycnia - Hodges#8230

8230

Dogbane Tiger Moth

Cycnia tenera Hübner, 1818

Phylogenetic sequence # 930404

Three Cycnia species occur in America north of Mexico.(1)

Forewing length 18-19 mm. (2)

Conspicuous yellow border on leading edge of forewing, goes most of the way to apex. In the similar Unexpected Cycnia, C. collaris, the yellow does not extend as far. Top of head and anterior portion of thorax yellow; dorsal surface of abdomen pale yellow or whitish, with large black spot on each segment.

Throughout NA - Map - MPG

Meadows, roadsides, with hostplant, sometimes day-flying.

Adults have at least two flights from May to October. (2)

Moth Photographers Group and Bug Guide add April records.

Larvae feed on

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)

1: eggs. 2 and 3: caterpillars. 4: female laying eggs. 5: male

Male produces clicks during mating, and also, to jam bat echolocation. (3)

In Cycnia collaris, darker and the yellow on the forewing is restricted to the basal half of the costa.

............

C. oregonensis, also found in eastern North America, has no yellow along the forewing costa or on the thorax, and its abdomen is a darker orangish-yellow.

Covell, C.V. 1984. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths. p. 74, pl. 13, fig. 6.(4)

Himmelman, plate C-6 (5)

Powell, J.A., and P.A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. pl. 48.6; p. 271.(2)

BAMONA

Moth Photographers Group

Pacific Northwest Moths

University of Alberta E. H. Strickland Entomological Museum

pinned adult image (CBIF)

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD)

Dallas Butterflies

pinned adult image (Moths of southeastern Arizona)