Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Bellura gortynoides Walker, 1865
* phylogenetic sequence # 932513
Size
wingspan of male 35-39 mm; female 42-45 mm
larvae to 52 mm
Identification
Adults - forewing variably light yellow with purplish shading to medium brown; PM line toothed, curved below costa; AM and median lines nearly straight; brownish blotches surrounding reniform spot and along outer margin near apex and anal angle; hindwing variably rosy pink to yellowish to grayish-brown
Larvae - pictured in
Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America(1)Range
Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Mississippi, north to Alberta
Season
adults fly from May to September
larvae from late fall to spring (overwinter)
Food
larvae feed on leaves and stems of
Yellow Pond-lily (
Nuphar lutea), including subspecies
N. l. advena
[reports of other hosts such as cattail and pickerelweed
(2) are thought to be in error due to confusing synonymy of
Bellura species]
Life Cycle
two generations per year in the south; one generation in the north; overwinters as a mature larva; eggs are laid in clusters on leaves of hostplant, hatching in 5-6 days; young larvae mine the leaf blade during first three instars; subsequent instars bore into petiole, creating a burrow in which they feed with their head below the waterline, while breathing atmospheric oxygen through spiracles in their tail; pupation occurs within the petiole
Print References
Heitzman, R.L. & D.H. Habeck, 1981. Taxonomic and biological notes on Bellura gortynoides Walker (Noctuidae). Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera, 18(4):
228-235. (detailed description of larva and pupa)
Lafontaine JD, Schmidt BC (2010) Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America North of Mexico.
(3)
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of living and pinned adults.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - species account with collection map and photos of pinned adults.
adult images and other info (Larry Line, Maryland)
common name reference [White-tailed Diver], plus foodplant and flight season (Ohio State U.)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)
