Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Leptarctia californiae (Walker, 1855)
Nemeophila californiae Walker, 1855
Long list of due to the many variations!
Lithosia lena Boisduval, 1869
L. adnata Boisduval, 1869
Leptarctia fulvofasciata Butler, 1881
L. wrightii French, 1889
Lithosia decia Boisduval, 1869
Leptarctia boisduvalii Butler, 1881
L. latifasciata Butler, 1881
L. albifascia French, 1889
L. occidentalis French, 1889
L. dimidiata Stretch, 1872
L. stretchii Butler, 1881
Phylogenetic sequence # 930336
(1) Numbers
The only species in this genus in America north of Mexico.
(1)Size
wingspan 26-34 mm, based on photos by Bruce Walsh
Identification
Adult: forewing dark gray to black with or without white spots (usually along costa at AM, PM, and/or subterminal lines); hindwing varies from mostly black to mostly orange, sometimes black with bold yellow, white, or orange markings; male antennae pectinate; female antennae simple.
Highly variable.
Range
New Mexico and Colorado to California, north to British Columbia.
Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection locations and dates.
Season
Most records are from March to July.
Food
Larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants.
Remarks
Taxonomists apparently had difficulty in classifying this species, probably due to its great variation in color; eleven synonyms were proposed by four authors between the years 1869 and 1889.
Adults are active during daylight hours.
diurnalPrint References
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler, 2009.
Moths of Western North America University of California Press. pl. 47, figs. 13-15; p. 269.
(2)Internet References
pinned adult images of 4 specimens showing variation in color (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)
(4)