Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Amyna stricta (Walker, 1858)
(1)
Amyna axis of authors (not Guenée 1852) (Perigea)
Amyna flaviguttata (Walker, 1858) (Celaena)
Amyna orbica (Morrison, 1874) (Segetia)
Amyna tecta (Grote, 1876) (Chytoryza)
Amyna octo of authors (not Guenée, 1852) (Perigea)
Phylogenetic sequence # 931253
Explanation of Names
Common name "Eight-Spot" from the synonym Perigea octo derived from Greek "okta" meaning eight; refers to the "figure 8" spot on the forewing
Numbers
One of two species in this genus in America north of Mexico.
(2)Size
Wingspan 20-25 mm (Covell, 1984).
(3)Identification
Adult: forewing variably reddish-brown to dark brown with indistinct black mottling and lines in basal half; reniform spot shaped like an "8", the lower half either solid white to orangish or filled with ground color, and the upper half with broken white outline; six small pale spots along costa; PM line black, toothed, sinuate; terminal line checkered with dark and light spots; fringe dark gray to blackish; hindwing dark brownish-gray, darker toward outer margin
Range
Resident worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, migrating north each year in late summer and fall. Fairly common in the south from Florida to Arizona; regular migrant to mideastern states, and rarely as far as Wisconsin, Ontario, and Quebec.
Habitat
Fields, waste places, dry areas; adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Season
Adults fly from August to October.
Food
Poole (1989) lists the larval host as
lambsquarters (
Chenopodum album).
HOSTS database
(4) lists
pigweed (
Amaranthus spp.) and
balloonvine (
Cardiospermum spp.) in our area. A variety of hosts are used throughout the world including plants from Leguminosae, Amaranthaceae, Tiliaceae, Compositae, Malvaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Solanaceae, Chenopodiaceae, and Sapindaceae.
See Also
Amyna bullula forewing has a yellow fringe, falcate outer margin, small pale patch near apex, and yellowish shading in lower basal half of wing (
compare images of both species at CBIF). Adults, especially those lacking a pale reniform spot, may be mistaken for a pyralid or crambid moth due to small size and habit of resting with wings held tent-like over abdomen.
Print References
Boisduval, J. A. & A. Guenée 1852. Nocuilites 1. Histoire naturelle des insectes: species général des Lépidoptères 5:
407
Covell Jr., C. V. 1984. A field guide to the moths of eastern North America. P.148, pl.28(22)
(5)
Hampson, G. F. 1910. Noctuidae. Catalogue of Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum 10:
408Internet References
pinned adult image with white reniform spot (CBIF)
pinned adult image with pale orangish reniform spot (James Adams, Dalton State College, Georgia)
foodplants plus world distribution map, synonyms, links to images, references (Markku Savela, FUNET)
common name reference and flight season (Ohio State U.)
distribution in Canada Ontario and Quebec only (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)
