Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Drasteria hudsonica (Grote
(1) & Robinson, 1865)
Syneda hudsonica Grote & Robinson, 1865
Drasteria hudsonica hudsonica (Grote & Robinson, 1865) (Syneda)
Drasteria hudsonica heathi (Barnes & McDunnough, 1918) (Syneda)
Drasteria pedionis (Hampson, 1926) (Syneda)
Drasteria hudsonica seposita (Edwards, 1881) (Syneda)
Phylogenetic sequence # 930906
(2) Numbers
three subspecies: the nominate subspecies D. h. hudsonica, plus heathi (southern Manitoba) and seposita (CO & UT)
Size
wingspan 35-36 mm, based on photos by Jim Vargo at MPG
Identification
Adult: forewing mottled shades of gray with pale whitish-gray median and subterminal areas; median area often chestnut brown; AM and PM lines variably black to light gray; AM line runs slightly outwardly oblique to the inner margin (rather than curving back toward the base, as in D. adumbrata); prairie populations dimorphic, with females having a relatively uniform unbanded light gray forewing; hindwing variably pale creamy white to yellow with wavy black medial and terminal bands; black discal crescent joined to medial band
Range
Alaska and Yukon to California, east to New Mexico and Manitoba
Habitat
in or near dry open coniferous woods; adults are active in the day but also come to light
Season
adults fly in June in the north (Alberta); earlier southward
See Also
Shadowy Arches (
Drasteria adumbrata) forewing ground colour usually brown rather than gray, and hindwing tends to be more orange rather than pale cream, but there is considerable overlap among individuals and subspecies, so these are only generalities; a more reliable feature is the AM line, which curves basally near the inner margin in
adumbrata, but continues on an outward slant in
hudsonica (
compare images of both species at CBIF)
Print References
Barnes, W. & J.H. McDunnough, 1918
Contributions to the natural history of the Lepidoptera of North America. 4(2):
122;
pl. 19, figs. 7, 8.
Edwards, H. 1881. New genera and species of North American Noctuidae.
Papilio. 1:
25
Grote, A.R. & C.T. Robinson, 1865. Lepidopterological Notes and Descriptions.
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia. 4:
494Internet References
pinned adult image of paler individual (CBIF)
description plus habitat, foodplant, common name reference, flight season, distribution, similar species (Strickland Entomological Museum, U. of Alberta)
distribution in Canada list of provinces and territories (CBIF)
subspecies plus foodplant and references (Markku Savela, FUNET)
