Hadena caelestis Troubridge & Crabo, 2002
93-2917
WA : Yakima Co.
Bethel Ridge, 3554 ft
46.8, -121.1
July 12, 2005, Crabo/Coughlin.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Similar Species
Hada sutrina 
Hadena ectrapela 
Hadena siskiyou Data Filters
Date Range
Elevation (ft)
Identification
Adults
Hadena caelestis is a small to medium-sized moth (FW length 13 - 14 mm) with a busy pattern of white and black on a dark gray ground, including large white-filled spots and a white subterminal line with a "W" mark along the wing margin. The forewing ground color is medium gray, scattered with lighter and darker scales, lighter whitish gray between the three spots in the central median area and along the trailing margin between the postmedial and subterminal lines, and darker medial to the subterminal line and in the terminal area. The transverse lines are black and double, filled with the ground color except for light whitish gray in the posterior postmedial line. The basal and antemedial lines are irregular but incomplete; the postmedial line is scalloped. The subterminal line is white and irregular, not forming a strong W-mark, preceded by a dark shade and a series of black chevrons between the veins anterior to the fold. The terminal line is a series of black triangles between the veins. The orbicular spot is moderately large and round, black but prominent due to pale gray to white filling with a faint dark center. The reniform is similar, but usually less filled with white. The claviform spot is small, not reaching the postmedial line. The hindwing is light gray basally with a smoky gray margin, diffuse discal spot and veins. A small, light spot is present along vein CuA2 near the anal angle. The hindwing fringe is mottled pale and dark with a darker gray inner component. The head and thorax are grizzled gray and pale with a weak dark gray line across the collar and dark edging to the tegulae. The male antenna is bead-like. The surface of the eye is covered with fine hairs.
Many Hadena species are similar and can be tricky to identify. This species is similar in appearance to Hadena ectrapela, a widely distributed species, and Hadena siskiyou, found in southwestern Oregon. Males of H. ectrapela and H. siskiyou can be distinguished by the shape of the dorsal cucullus of the valve, which can be observed without dissection by brushing the scales from the distal abdomen with a small brush. The valve of H. caelestis is bluntly rounded, while those of both of the other species are acutely pointed. Hadena caelestis can usually be identified by appearance by the combination of a large, round, white-filled orbicular spot and extensive pale areas on the forewing in the subjacent median area and near the anal angle between the postmedial and subterminal lines. The pale areas are reduced in the other species, or less white. The orbicular spot of H. ectrapela is less round than that of H. caelestis. Hada sutrina, a common, mottled gray moth that flies near timberline, is also similar in general appearance, but lacks the prominent white areas in the forewing, including in the orbicular spot, that are prominent in H. caelestis.
The type locality of Hadena caelestis Troubridge and Crabo is Mt. Kobau, British Columbia.
Habitat
This species occurs at high elevations. In the Pacific Northwest, it is restricted to rocky, subalpine to alpine ridgetops at high elevations near timberline.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Hadena caelestis is found in the Cascade Range in southern British Columbia and Washington, and in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon. Further east it has been collected in the Selkirk Mountains in northeastern Washington and in the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon.
Global
This species is only known from the high Sierra Nevada in eastern California outside of the Pacific Northwest. It is replaced by the similar species Hadena gabrieli in the Transverse Ranges of southern California.
Life History
Larvae
No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants of this species, but it is probably a foodplant specialist feeding on herbs of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae) such as Silene and related species.
Adults
Adults have a short flight period and have only been collected during July and early August in our region. They usually are among the earliest species to fly in their subalpine habitat. This species is nocturnal and comes to lights.
Economic Importance
None.
Literature
Troubridge & Crabo (2002)
