Species Xestia oblata - Rosy Dart - Hodges#10947

10947

Oblate Dart

Ruby Dart

formerly Amathes oblata

OBLATA: from the Latin "oblatus" (flattened at the poles); probably a reference to the distinctly flattened inner margin of the reniform spot

forewing reddish or rusty orange with dark gray to black median area; AM and PM lines white or pale gray, edged with black; orbicular and reniform spots large, orangish with thin black outline; orbicular spot oblique; inner margin of reniform spot distinctly flattened, and pointed basally; subterminal area a grayish band; terminal area a broad orange band

hindwing pale yellowish or yellowish-orange

Yukon and British Columbia to Newfoundland, south in the east to New England and Wisconsin, south in the west to California and northern New Mexico

montane and boreal deciduous and mixedwood forest; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light

adults fly from June to August

larvae have been reared to 3rd instar on Meadowsweet (Spiraea latifolia) and Bebb's Willow (Salix bebbiana)

one generation per year

the combination of broad orange terminal band and flattened & pointed reniform spot distinguishes this species from all others

Moth Photographers Group (MPG)

Pacific Northwest Moths

Barcode of Life (BOLD)

pinned adult image plus common name references [Rosy Dart, Ruby Dart], habitat, description, flight season, food plants, distribution (G.G. Anweiler, U. of Alberta)

pinned adult image plus description, flight season, similar species (Jeff Miller, Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands; USGS)

flight period (Canadian Forest Service)

US distribution map (Michael Pogue, Moths of North America; USGS)

common name reference [Rosy Dart] and synonym (Phil Myers et al, U. of Michigan)