Species Marathyssa basalis - Light Marathyssa - Hodges#8956

8956

Marathyssa basalis Walker, 1865 (1)

Phylogenetic sequence # 931104

Marathyssa includes three species in America north of Mexico. (2)

Wingspan 25-32 mm. (3)

Adult: male antennae bipectinate, broad; forewing pale yellowish-brown, usually folded in pleats when at rest, hiding much of the color and pattern, but dark brown patch in AM area at inner margin often visible; PM line meets inner margin at oblique angle; forewing lacks reddish patch along costa near apex (present in M. inficita); hindwing has white line intruding into subterminal area from outer margin; dorsal surface of abdomen with two white longitudinal lines and raised dorsal tufts; abdomen curled up in C shape when at rest.

Ontario to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas. (4)

Adults are most common from March to August. (5)

larvae feed on poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) Illinois Wildflowers

1.larva 2.larva 3.pupa 4.adult

PDF of life cycle by MJ Hatfield

Dark Marathyssa (M. inficita) lacks dorsal tufts on abdomen, Forbes (1954) (6). Forewing generally grayer and darker, with reddish patch along costa near apex (see photos), lacks dark brown patch in AM area at inner margin, hindwing lacks white line in subterminal area, and male antennae are serrate, not bipectinate (compare images of both species at CBIF)

Walker, 1865: 1034 (1)

BOLD; BOLD:AAB2360