Species Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741

10741

Euxoa olivia (Morrison, 1876)

Phylogenetic sequence # 933318

Forewing length 13-17 mm. (1)

This species can be so variable that has been 'originally' described no less than eight times, and many times by the same author. The form that is most recognizable has the forewing streaked longitudinally with costal, subterminal and posterior areas pale and the transverse lines obscure/incomplete. This form also typically has a pale streak distil to the claviform. In most males the forewing ground color is yellow brown or orange brown; the hindwing is white with brown shading near the terminal line. In most females the forewing ground color is gray or silver gray; the hindwing is pearl gray with the veins darker gray. Another form of this species has the forewings evenly colored with transverse lines prominent and defined in black. (1)

Pacific Northwest Moths considers females of this species to be dimorphic. (2)

Specimen identified by DNA analysis:

Genitalia:

♀

♂

Southern British Columbia to southern Manitoba south to northern Texas and west to southern California including southern Arizona and southern New Mexico. (3), (4)

Adults are seen from late August to December. Longer flight in California. (3)

Euxoa flavidens has a much larger claviform spot

Euxoa auxiliaris - forms of both species with well-defined lines and no noticeable longitudinal streaking can be very similar - see remarks under this image:

Lafontaine, J.D., 1987. The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 27.2: p. 36; pl. 1.25-28. (1)

Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. pl. 57.19, 57.20; p. 310.(3)

Moth Photographers Group

Pacific Northwest Moths

Noctuoidea of Canada