Pacific Northwest Moths

Identification

Adults

Heliocheilus paradoxus is a small (FW length 12 - 15 mm), grayish-yellow moth that flies in steppe during the summer. It has a pattern of mottled gray on the forewing and pale yellow-gray hindwing with a gray discal spot and marginal band containing a pale area near the margin. The moth resembles a small blunt-winged Helicoverpa zea, but the males have a unique swollen mid costa and expanded interspace between veins R1 and R2. This area tends to lose its scales and is therefore translucent in most wild-caught specimens. The forewings appear short and triangular and have a slightly convex costal margin. The forewing ground color is light gray-yellow with a slight green or olive cast. Gray mottling is most extensive in the subterminal area, followed in prominence by the terminal area and the posterior wing. The light gray basal, antemedial, and median lines are relatively faint. The postmedian line is usually darker gray, thin, and strongly and evenly toothed on the veins. The subterminal line is most evident as a transition from darker gray subterminal area to the lighter terminal area. A series of small dark dots forms the terminal line. The fringe is slightly grayer than the ground color but similar in darkness. The orbicular, reniform, and claviform spots are variable, usually evident as smudged areas of light to dark gray but sometimes absent. The hindwing is light yellow-gray with a thick dark discal spot and marginal band. A consistent rectangular area of the ground color is present near the outer margin between veins M3 and CuA2, with smaller similar color spots at the anal angle. A serrate gray postmedial line is evident on the mid-wing in some individuals. The hindwing fringe is tricolored with a yellow base, gray median line, and pale edge. The head and thorax are the color of the forewing ground. The male antenna is filiform.

As noted above, this species resembles a small form of H. zea. H. paradoxus can usually be distinguished by size, since runts of H. zea have forewing lengths of 16 mm. Males of H. paradoxus are easily distinguished by the unusual features of the radial veins described above. Females of H. paradoxus can usually be identified by the even dark thin "accordion fold" postmedial line, usually less conspicuous or unevenly dark with dots on the teeth in H. zea.

Habitat

This species is widely distributed on dry grasslands and in desert areas of the Great Plains and Southwest. It is associated with salt flats in parts of its range.

Distribution

Pacific Northwest

Heliocheilus paradoxus is found in the dry interior of our region as far north as the southern Okanagan region in British Columbia. It has been found most consistently in the southern parts of eastern Oregon and Idaho. Hardwick (1996) speculates that northern records of this species might represent migrants, and this might be the case in the Northwest.

Global

This species is found across the southern United States. The northern limits of its range outside of our region are Minnesota, southern Ontario, and Massachusetts. It appears to be most common in the Southwest.

Life History

Larvae

This species is a foodplant specialist feeding on grasses (Poaceae).

Adults

The flight period of H. paradoxus is summer, with records from early June through August in our region. It is nocturnal and comes to lights.

Economic Importance

None.

Literature

BugGuide

Hardwick (1996)

Moth Photographers Group

Powell & Opler (2009)