Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Achyra rantalis (Guenée, 1854)
Nymphula rantalis Guenée, 1854
Loxostege rantalis
Pyrausta caffreii Flint & Malloch, 1920
Numbers
One of 3 species in the genus in North America north of Mexico.
Size
Larva to 24 mm (Capps, 1967).
Forewing length 9-10 mm (Powell & Opler, 2009).
(1)
Wingspan 17-23 mm (Capps, 1967).
Identification
Adult: forewing orange, brown, or grayish-brown in varying shades; AM and PM lines diffuse, slightly darker than ground color of wing; PM line jagged and edged with color; orbicular and reniform spots usually present. Hindwing similar to forewing but lighter; median line present in costal half; at rest, holds wings together close to body (adapted from description by Charles Covell).
(2)
Larva: head yellowish-brown; body yellowish, pale green, or dark greenish with light stripe down back; three dark spots form a triangle on side of each abdominal segment.
Range
Northeast and southern Canada, south to Florida and California (Powell & Opler, 2009).
(1)Habitat
Fields, gardens; adults may be attracted to light.
Season
Adults fly from April to November in the south; reduced season in the north.
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of alfalfa, beans, clover, corn, cotton, peas, strawberries, and many other low plants (Covell, 1984).
(2)Life Cycle
Two to four or more generations per year in the south; fewer in the north.
Mated pair
Remarks
Larvae may be a pest of vegetable gardens and commercial crops; they are active at night, skeletonizing leaves by feeding mostly on the underside; severely damaged plants are covered with silken webbing.
Print References
Boisduval, J. A & A. Guenée 1854. Histoire naturelle des insectes, spécies général des lépidoptères 8:
405
Capps, H. W. 1967. Review of some species of
Loxostege Hübner and descriptions of new species (Lepidoptera, Pyraustidae, Pyrausinae). Proc. USNM 120(3561):
47 (3)
Covell Jr., C. V. 1984. A field guide to the moths of eastern North America. p.398, pl.56(23)
(2)
Munroe, E. 1976. Moths of America North of Mexico. Fascicle 13.2a, p.47, pl.3.20-25
(4)
Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. University of California Press. p.174, pl.22.36
(1)
