Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Dichorda Warren, 1900
Numbers
There are about 9 species in the genus and 4 species in NA.
(1)(2)Identification
Adults:
Check the ranges first. Some species have very restricted ranges. The three species in the west have some overlap in range. (see below)
Eastern half of North America:
♂
♀
The
Showy Emerald Moth,
Dichorda iridaria usually has lots of white streaking on both wings and some whitish suffusion in the median area.
Central and Western USA: Texas to North Dakota and west to Idaho and California.
(3)
They are similar to
Dichorda iridaria and
Dichorda consequaria but lack any whitish suffusion in the median area. Transverse lines are rather bold and fairly straight.
(3)
South-western: (southern AZ)
Wide white transverse lines are straight and often have white shading.
Forewing outer margin is less convex and appear more pointed than N. iridaria.
Forewing ventral (underside) postmedial line is usually double. (single in N. iridaria).
Forewing veins beyond the postmedial are usually streaked with white; much less so in
N. iridaria.
(4),
(3)
Western: (AZ, CA, OR)
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Larvae:
Dichorda iridaria
Dichorda consequaria See Also
The
Phoenix Emerald Moth,
Dichordophora phoenix is very similar. Check the ratio of the band-widths along the costal edges of the fore-wings. (median band/PM band) = less than 2.5 in that species
The lack of colored abdominal spots and the angle of the PM lines should help to rule out
Nemoria caerulescens and
Nemoria obliqua, as well as others in that genus.
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