Actebia balanitis (Grote, 1873)
93-3230
WA : Pend Oreille Co.
Tiger Mdws., 3241 ft
48.7, -117.5
July 17, 1998, L. & A. Crabo.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Similar Species
Rhyacia clemens "species-data"
species-data
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Elevation (ft)
Identification
Adults
Actebia balanitis is a fairly nondescript, brown-gray, medium-sized moth (FW length 16–19 mm). The forewing is somewhat elongated, although not as much as in Actebia fennica, and uniform medium dark dirty brown-gray with a slight sheen. The transverse lines are thin and black, usually double with slightly lighter filling; only the component nearest to the median area is evident in some specimens. The antemedial line is irregular, strongly zig-zagged, and oriented nearly transversely across the forewing, while the postmedial line is smoothly excurved with a strongly dentate medial portion and smoother outer portion. The median line is a dark shade, usually faint. The subterminal line is pale, often broken into a series of spots, preceded by a dark shade across the entire forewing. The orbicular and reniform spots are comprised of this outer black and inner luteous scales and are filled with the ground color. Both spots are usually similar to the lines in prominence. The orbicular spot is oval, usually complete, but sometimes open toward the costa, and sometimes has a dark central spot. The reniform spot is fairly large and is kidney-shaped. The claviform spot is absent. The hindwing is light gray with darker marginal shading and veins and a whitish-gray fringe. The head and thorax match the ground color of the wings. The head lacks a raised tubercle. The male antenna is filiform with short fasciculations.
This species is easily taken for a Euxoa species, but lacks the raised frontal tubercle that is found in most members of that genus. It is also similar to Rhyacia clemens. This species has a dark bar between the orbicular and reniform spots and a strongly dentate postmedial line in which the tips of the "teeth" are darker than the rest of the line; both of these features are absent in A. balanitis.
Specimens of A. balanitis commonly become greasy in collections.
Habitat
This species is widely distributed on the dry short-grass prairies of the northern Great Plains at low elevations, and on montane grasslands at higher elevations throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Actebia balanitis has been collected in south-central British Columbia, northern and central Washington, and southern Idaho in our region. It likely occurs in northern British Columbia as it has been found in Yukon Territory and Alaska. It is most common in boreal forest and montane habitats.
Global
This species is found in northwestern North America from northern Colorado, North Dakota, and eastern Saskatchewan to Alaska.
Life History
Larvae
No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants of this species, but it probably feeds on various herbaceous vegetation based upon related species.
Adults
The adults are single-brooded and fly in summer and early fall. Pacific Northwest records are from late June to mid-September. It is nocturnal and comes to lights.
Economic Importance
None.
Literature
Lafontaine (2004)
