Explanation of Names
SEXSIGNATA: "six-spotted"; refers to the six white spots on the hindwings (three spots on each wing)
Numbers
The only species in this genus in North America listed at
All-Leps;
common to abundant in some areas; uncommon in others.
Size
Forewing length 13 - 15 mm
(1)Identification
Adult - forewing dark gray with oblique whitish or silvery AM band and reniform spot; hindwing black with three large white spots forming triangle in median area; fringe silvery white, broken by black near midpoint
Larvae - gray with a sinuous black stripe along each side. White subspiracular stripe margined ventrally with purple. Spiracles are dark brown. The head is pale with black reticulation and pale lines
(1)Range
Washington, Montana, Utah, and Colorado south to southern California, New Mexico and west Texas (MPG)
(1)Season
Adults fly in March to June
(1).
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of oak, or chinquapin, and possibly manzanita
(1).
Life Cycle
Adults are strictly diurnal and have small eyes; often seen nectaring at flowers or sipping moisture in muddy areas
(1).
See Also
Heteranassa mima shows less contrast on forewing and has a mostly white hindwing.
Internet References
(ALL of the links below are broken--need to be researched and updated)
pinned adult image plus technical info (California Dept. of Food and Agriculture)
pinned adult images plus foodplant and status in Arizona (U. of Arizona)
presence in Washington; PDF doc list plus status and foodplant (Govt. of State of Washington)
