Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Drasteria perplexa (Hy. Edwards, 1884)
Syneda perplexa H. Edwards, 1884
Phylogenetic sequence # 930909
(1) Size
wingspan 29-33 mm, based on two photos of Internet specimens
Identification
Adult: basal half of forewing uniformly grayish-brown with indistinct AM line; terminal area light brownish-gray; PM patch pale, surrounded by black shading; hindwing orange or orangish-yellow with black margin and PM band; black discal crescent reduced and usually not connected to PM band
Range
California to Arizona and Colorado, north to Alberta and Saskatchewan
Habitat
dry short-grass prairie and desert
Season
adults fly in May and June
See Also
the uniformly brownish basal half of the forewing, and orangish hindwing separates
perplexa from other
Drasteria species except
ochracea, which lacks a contrasting terminal area and pale PM patch (
compare images of both species at CBIF)
Internet References
pinned adult image plus common name reference, habitat, flight season, description, distribution (G. Anweiler, U. of Alberta)
US distribution map (Butterflies and Moths of North America)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (CBIF)
