Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Xanthorhoe defensaria (Guenée, [1858])
Identification
Specimens identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).
(1)
Range
British Columbia to California, east to Arizona and Utah
Season
adults fly in spring and again in fall
Food
larvae have been found feeding on flowers of Begonia, and reared on flowers of bramble (Rubus spp.)
[Jeremy Tatum, British Columbia]
See Also
Several other species in the tribe Xanthorhoini are similar, but show the following differences:
Euphyia intermediata lacks a smooth AM line on the FW and has dark subapical patch
Xanthorhoe alticolata has reddish tint in median area, and has continuously-curved AM line that meets inner margin at slight angle;
Xanthorhoe ferrugata and
lacustrata lack double interior lines in the median area of the FW (
compare images of all 5 species)
Caveat: another species, Xanthorhoe dodata occurs in Alberta and British Columbia (and probably northwestern US) but no images could be found on the Internet as of August 2007.
Internet References
live larva and adult images plus food plants (Jeremy Tatum, Butterflies and Moths of Southern Vancouver Island)
pinned adult images of three specimens, showing variation in color (CBIF)
pinned adult image (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)
pinned adult image plus similar species and other info (Jeff Miller, Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands; USGS)