Scoliopteryx libatrix (Linnaeus, 1758)
93-0601
Herald Moth
View Photographic Plate
BC : Thompson-Nicola Co.
Coast Range, Gott Peak, 7100 ft
50.4, -122.1
July 26, 2006, LG Crabo.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Identification
Adults
Scoliopteryx libatrix is an attractive, medium-sized (FW length 18 - 22 mm) moth with an angled and deeply wavy forewing margin. This common species is our only representative of the subfamily Scoleopteryginae. The ground color is brown, heavily rose to orange tinted, with bright mottled orange at the base extending along the lower cell to near the reniform spot. The lines are pale milky gray. The antemedial and subterminal lines are single, while the postmedial line is double. The latter is prominent, its anterior part runs parallel to the costa, then turns sharply to curve slightly across the distal wing to the posterior margin. The subterminal line is smoothly undulating, shaped roughly like the wing margin. A raised white spot marks the forewing base, and the orbicular spot is similar. The reniform spot is two small black dots. White spots mark the cubital vein, and similar white areas are present on the feet and bases of the antennae. The hindwing is slightly pink tinted grayish brown. The head and thorax are orange brown, with midline crest on the collar.
This moth is easily recognized by its orange and rosy hue and distintively scalloped wing margin.
Larvae
Larva is smooth, green with a white lateral line. It is illustrated by Miller & Hammond (2003).
Habitat
This species is widely distributed throughout much of North America. In the Pacific Northwest, it is common in moist forest and riparian habitats. These include coastal rainforests, mixed hardwood forests at low elevations west of the Cascades, mixed hardwood-conifer forests at higher elevations in the mountains, quaking aspen forests in the Rocky Mountain region, and in riparian habitats along creeks and rivers east of the Cascades.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Scoliopteryx libatrix is found in forests throughout the Pacific Northwest. It does not occur in xeric steppe habitats and there are few records from the interior basins.
Global
This species is found in Eurasia and is widely distributed in North America. It occurs from Nova Scotia to Alaska, south to New Mexico.
Life History
Larvae
This species is a foodplant specialist feeding on the Salicaceae including both willows (Salix spp.) and cottonwoods (Populus spp.).
Adults
Adults hatch in late summer and overwinter, emerging from hibernation to mate and lay eggs in the spring. As a result, the phenogram is bimodal with early and late season peaks. This species is nocturnal and comes to light. It is also attracted to sugar baits.
Economic Importance
None.
Literature
Covell (1984)
Forbes (1954)
Miller & Hammond (2003)
Powell & Opler (2009)
