Biology:Litocala sexsignata

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Litocala sexsignata
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Litocala
Species:
L. sexsignata
Binomial name
Litocala sexsignata
(Harvey, 1875)[1]
Synonyms
  • Lita sexsignata Harvey, 1875

Litocala sexsignata, the litocala moth, is a moth of the Erebidae family. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Washington, Montana, Utah and Colorado south to southern California [2] and northern Baja California. The habitat consists of oak woodlands and forests.[3]

The length of the forewings is 13–15 mm. The forewings are dark grey with an oblique whitish or silvery antemedian band and reniform spot. The hindwings are black with three large white spots, forming a triangle in the median area. Adults are on wing from March to June. They have been recorded sipping moisture at puddles and has also been found nectaring at willow catkins.

The larvae feed on Quercus species (including Quercus chrysolepis and Quercus garryana) and Castanopsis chrysophylla.[4] The larvae are grey with a sinuous black stripe and a pale head with black reticulation and pale lines.

Subspecies

  • Litocala sexsignata sexsignata
  • Litocala sexsignata deserta Edwards, 1881

References

Wikidata ☰ Q13519692 entry