Species Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1

9814.1

described as a new species by Lafontaine and Troubridge in 2003

one of 4 species in this genus in North America listed at All-Leps

wingspan 25-29 mm, based on three Internet photos

larva length to 25 mm

Adult: forewing light to medium gray with distinct black lines and black-rimmed spots filled with ground color; reniform spot bent into V shape; orbicular spot oval or irregular-shaped, sometimes connecting to reniform spot; claviform spot narrow, pointed; AM line usually thin, slightly sinuate, bending outward at inner margin; PM line irregular, toothed; subterminal line scalloped, with paler shading beyond it; terminal line a series of black dashes; diffuse dark spot near anal angle; hindwing grayish with indistinct and diffuse subterminal band; fringe pale

Larva: head green, unmarked; body green with prominent white middorsal and subdorsal stripes; spiracular stripe white with dark green margin above

British Columbia and Alberta to California and Arizona

coniferous forests in western mountains; adults come to light

adults fly from June to September

larvae from May to July

pupae in June and July

larvae feed mainly on foliage of Douglas-fir; other hosts include Western Hemlock, Amabilis Fir, Grand Fir, Subalpine Fir

one generation per year; overwinters as an egg

Sometimes misidentified as Cosmia (=Achytonix) epipaschia, a species which is known only from a single specimen (the holotype) collected in New Mexico and described by Grote in 1883. See Remarks section on genus page for comments quoted from the Print Reference below.

An All-Leps image taken from this page seems atypical in that its AM line is thick, arc-shaped, and doesn't bend outward at the inner margin. Judging from the pin label, the specimen was collected in Summerhaven, Arizona; perhaps its appearance is more typical (?) of southern specimens.

Cosmia praeacuta forewing reniform spot is slightly curved but not bent into a V shape, and its AM line is heavy/thick, gently arc-shaped, and usually not bent outward at inner margin

Lafontaine, J.D., and J.T. Troubridge. 2003. Review of the genus Cosmia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in North America, with description of a new species. The Canadian Entomologist. 135: 325-336.

Moth Photographers Group (MPG)

Pacific Northwest Moths

Barcode of Life (BOLD)

live larva images plus description, foodplants, distribution, biology (Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada)

abstract of article describing new species (J.D. Lafontaine and J.T. Troubridge, The Canadian Entomologist)

distribution in Canada (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)