Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Schinia villosa (Grote
(1), 1864)
(2)
Heliothis villosa Grote, 1864
Melicleptria villosa (Grote, 1864)
(3)
Phylogenetic sequence # 932104
Identification
Mature larvae are light green with a darker green bands and lines along the length.
(6)Range
British Columbia to Saskatchewan and south to Colorado and northern Arizona.
(6)
Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Habitat
Occurs at upper elevations below the treeline. (montane species).
(6)Season
Adults fly from June to August.
(4),
(5)Food
Larval host
(6) is
Erigeron L. spp. (fleabane)
Adults can be found at flowers during the day.
(diurnal)Life Cycle
Adults often rest on the blooms of the host plant and lay eggs between the florets.
(6)
Larvae are cannibalistic and compete for a single flower. They burrow below the seed head and only feed on the surface during the last instar.
(6)See Also
Schinia persimilis which can be brownish at times.
Print References
Grotes, A.R. Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phaaenae in the British Museum, p.
(20).
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler 2009.
Moths of Western North America. University of California Press. plate 52, fig. 41; p. 292.
(6)