Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
First described in 1882 by Berthold Neumoegen as Marmopteryx seiferti
Explanation of Names
From the original description: "I take great pleasure in naming this handsome Geometrid after my good friend and ardent entomologist, Mr. Otto Seifert"
Identification
Upper side and lower front wing dull yellowish orange to orange; front wing crossed part way by bold dark diagonal bar, and above with dark apex often extending narrowly downward along outer margin. Lower hind wing finely mottled or striated in shades of gray and brown.
Range
Arizona, New Mexico, and Trans-Pecos Texas, into northern Mexico.
Habitat
Found primarily in lower mountains in areas of brush and open woodland.
Season
Adults in autumn, mostly in late September and October
Food
Larval hosts include Cercocarpus and perhaps Fallugia paradoxa - Rosaceae.
[note added 12-12-15 from David J. Ferguson: Fallugia paradoxa is the prefered host along the west base of the Manzano Mountains in central NM where Cercocarpus is absent or rare. Adult moths are strongly associated with this plant and females can be found literally swarming around it in some years at the proper season. Larvae can be quite abundant, to the point of defoliating the shrubs.]
Remarks
Can be extremely abundant in the proper season in their prefered habitats.
Adults are attracted to lights.
Adults fly 24 hours as long as temperatures are not too cold or too hot, but strogest activity seems to be just before and after dusk. They tend to keep to cool, often shaded areas during daylight. They can be confused with small Satyrids when in flight, and even when at rest, but their flight is weaker, and they are structurally quite different.
As with other Stamnodes these rest with wings held over their backs in butterfly-like fashion, showing the cryptic under hind wings and apex of front wings, while hiding the orange coloring of the upper side and of most of the lower front wing.
Internet References
Papilio,v.2,p.135 Neumoegen's original description of the species.
