Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Cisthene packardii (Grote
(1), 1863)
Hypoprepia packardii Grote, 1863
Phylogenetic sequence # 930189
Explanation of Names
Named in honor of entomologist/palaeontologist
Alpheus S. Packard Jr..
Numbers
Lafontaine & Schmidt (2010) included 20 species of the genus
Cisthene in America north of Mexico.
(2)Identification
Adult identified by a combination of characters:
-- Basal streak is yellow and separated from inner FW margin by gray (like Subject Lichen Moth); basal streak connects to PM spot (the one on inner FW margin) in "middle", i.e. not at it's apex).
-- PM spot on inner margin is often red near margin, yellow elswhere, and extends a bit forward (towards costal margin) of the junction with basal streak.
-- PM spot on costal margin is red-centered and yellow margined, semicircular with a steep forward margin at costa (compared to low, flared spot on Subject Lichen Moth).
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).
(5)
Conner et al. (2009) stated the larva are grey to charcoal with wispy setae an yellow pinacula ringed with black; head mottled black.
(4)Range
One of the two most common lichen moths across much of the s. and e. US, ranging from e. Texas, e. Oklahoma, and Kansas, to Florida, north to Missouri, the Ohio Valley, Pennsylvania, and s. New England.
(3)(6)(7)(8)(9) Because of confusion with Subject Lichen Moth, many older literature and sight records are unreliable.
Habitat
Barrens and dry oak woodlands in the north and a variety of woodlands and scrubs in the south.
(4)Season
Adults fly from February to December in Florida.
(9)Food
Larvae feed on algae and lichens.
(4)(9)See Also
Cisthene subjecta - color areas usually redder; basal streak meets PM spot on inner margin at its apex; PM spot on costa is flattened and flared out, usually 3X as wide as tall.
Cisthene conjuncta - color areas white with more white fill along inner margin; range only in deep s. Texas. Faded examples of Packard's can look very white.
Print References
Grote, A.R., 1863. Additions to the catalogue of the U.S. Lepidoptera, No. 3.
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, 2 (1):
31.
Sexton, C., and H. McGuinness. 2017. Identification of lichen moths in the genus Cisthene in the central and eastern U.S. South. Lep. News 39(4):309-322.