Common NameArizona Bird-dropping MothIdentificationA small (1.8-2.1 cm wingspan) bright white and dark brown moth. The forewings are sharply divided into an immaculate white basal half and an outer half of mixed light and dark brown and tan. The reniform is a prominent round dark spot, ringed with paler scales. The upper third of the fringe is dark, the remainder white. The hindwings are uniform sooty brown with white fringes. The antennae are filiform, and the sexes are similar. Unlike any other Alberta moth in pattern and color except Tarachidia binocula, which has some yellow-orange on the forewing and even-colored fringes on the forewings.
Scientific NameConochares arizonaeCommon Name
Arizona Bird-dropping Moth
Habitat
Arid grasslands and badlands.
Identification
A small (1.8-2.1 cm wingspan) bright white and dark brown moth. The forewings are sharply divided into an immaculate white basal half and an outer half of mixed light and dark brown and tan. The reniform is a…
A small (1.8-2.1 cm wingspan) bright white and dark brown moth. The forewings are sharply divided into an immaculate white basal half and an outer half of mixed light and dark brown and tan. The reniform is a prominent round dark spot, ringed with paler scales. The upper third of the fringe is dark, the remainder white. The hindwings are uniform sooty brown with white fringes. The antennae are filiform, and the sexes are similar. Unlike any other Alberta moth in pattern and color except Tarachidia binocula, which has some yellow-orange on the forewing and even-colored fringes on the forewings.
Life History
The adults are nocturnal and come to light, and there is a single annual brood. The larvae and larval hosts are apparently unknown. Unlike many moths in the subfamily Acontiinae, the black and white adults are…
The adults are nocturnal and come to light, and there is a single annual brood. The larvae and larval hosts are apparently unknown. Unlike many moths in the subfamily Acontiinae, the black and white adults are believed to be bird-dropping mimics.
Conservation
A widespread species, rather uncommon and local at the northern edge of their range in Alberta.
Diet Info
No information available.
Range
Southern Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, south to Arizona and California. In Alberta collected only in the dry valleys in the eastern part of the province, north in the Red Deer River valley to the…
Southern Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, south to Arizona and California. In Alberta collected only in the dry valleys in the eastern part of the province, north in the Red Deer River valley to the northern end of Dry Island Provincial Park.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Conochares arizonae
Page Citation
"Species Details - Conochares arizonae, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3689. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.