Species Helotropha reniformis - Kidney-spotted Rustic - Hodges#9453

9453

Celaena reniformis

described in 1874 by Grote, who originally placed it in genus Luperina

forewing length = 15-19 mm (1)

Adult: forewing dark brown with lighter brown subterminal band and small basal patch; reniform spot either solid white or brown with white outline and white streak in middle; two diverging white lines extend from inner corner of reniform spot into subterminal area (these lines may be lacking in specimens with solid white reniform spot); orbicular spot an oblique rounded rectangle, brown with white outline; pale yellowish-brown patch at apex; hindwing dirty white, shading to gray distally, with dark veins and pale fringe

Additional description by Pacific Northwest Moths as a dimorphic species can be found at link in citations below. (1)

coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States, south in the west to California

wet meadows, marshes; adults are nocturnal and come to light

adults fly from August to October in Alberta

larvae feed on sedges (Cyperaceae) and rarely corn

one generation per year

Apamea cogitata is very similar to the uniformly dark form of Helotropha reniformis. According to Pacific Northwest Moths, Apamea cogitata is much redder than Heloptropha reniformis and lacks a dark gray terminal area. (1) It should also be noted that the dark gray terminal area of H. reniformis does not reach the apex which leaves a contrasting pale patch that is not generally seen on A. cogitata, or is not as pronounced.

Apamea dubitans is also very similar to the uniformly dark form of Helotropha reniformis. However, even the uniformly dark forms of H. reniformis exhibit some contrast in the ST/terminal area with the entire ST area being at least slightly paler than the darker gray terminal area. The dark gray terminal area on reniformis does not quite reach the apex leaving a noticeable pale patch at the apex that is not generally found on dubitans, or is not as pronounced. The ST/terminal area of A. dubitans is basically concolorous, showing very little contrast except for a series of dark chevrons that can be present along the inner side of the ST line.