Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Euchaetes zella (Dyar)
Orig. Comb: Calidota zella Dyar, 1902
* phylogenetic sequence #930406
Explanation of Names
Specific epithet zella likely in honor of author Harrison G. Dyar's wife, Zella. M. Peabody Dyar (1869-1938). The marriage ended in divorce in 1915 amid suspicion that Dyar had a second family with Bahá'í faith spiritual advisor Wellesca Pollock Allen, whom he married in 1921. She had three children, including Harrison G. born in 1911. The moth named for Zella, however, lives on.
Size
Wingspan about 26 mm (Dyar, 1903).
Larva to 25 mm (Comstock & Dammers, 1935).
Pupa 12.5 mm (Comstock & Dammers, 1935).
Identification
Larva - not unlike its cogeners. See Comstock & Dammers.
Food
Comstock & Dammers found and reared them on
Hartweg's twinevine (
Funastrum cynanchoides heterophyllum, =Philibertia heterophylla). Moths of Southeastern Arizona lists
milkweed (
Asclepias L., Asclepiadaceae).
(2)Life Cycle
Pupation occurs in a dense oval cocoon incorporating the larval hairs (Comstock & Dammers, 1935).
Remarks
Type locality: "Hot Springs", Arizona.
See Also
The sometimes prominent triangular spot and darkish grey-brown forewing and antennae help serparate zella from moths for which it might be confused.
Print References
Comstock, J.A. & C.A. Dammers 1935. Notes on the early stages of three butterflies and six moths from California.
Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, 34(2):
133, pl.26-29
Dyar, H.G. 1903. New North American lepidoptera with notes on larvae.
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 5(4):
291Internet References
BOLD Systems - DNA sequenced specimens