Drasteria ochracea (Behr, 1870)
93-0898
WA : Skamania Co.
South Prairie, 2mS; Big Lava Bed, 3364 ft
45.9, -121.7
July 24, 1999, L. G. Crabo.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Identification
Adults
Drasteria ochracea is a large Drasteria species (FW length 20 -25 mm) with warm brown forewings and bright orange hindwings. The forewings are fairly uniform brown, slightly mottled by lighter brown by several of the lines. The forewing appears streaky because of darker on the veins and several black dashes between the veins near the apex. The reniform spot is black and dark brown and the anterior portion is joined to the costa. The hindwing is bright orange with black angular discal spot, postmedial line, and interrupted marginal band.
This species can be identified by its streaky brown forewing and bright orange and black hindwing.
Larvae
Larva is smooth, gray and yellow with fine longitudinal lines. It is illustrated by Miller & Hammond (2003) under the name of Synedoida ochracea.
Habitat
This species is widely distributed in moist forests and riparian habitats throughout much of western North America. In the Pacific Northwest, it occurs in mixed hardwood forests and riparian zones at low elevations west of the Cascades, in mixed hardwood-conifer forests at middle to high elevations in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains, and along riparian zones of canyons, creeks, and rivers at low elevations east of the Cascades.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Drasteria ochracea is found from south-central British Columbia through Washington, Idaho, and Oregon predominantly east of the Cascade crest. It is most common at the margin of steppe habitats such as in the foothills and dry ridges of the east slope of the Cascade Mountains. It has been found west of the mountains in Whatcom County, Washington.
Global
This species is found in the American West from British Columbia and Montana south to southern California, Arizona, and Colorado.
Life History
Larvae
This species is a foodplant specialist feeding on elderberry (Sambucus spp.) in the Caprifoliaceae.
Adults
Adults are found from late spring through the summer months. Most Pacific Northwest records are from late April to early August. The adults are nocturnal and come to lights.
Economic Importance
None.
Literature
Miller & Hammond (2003)
Powell & Opler (2009)
