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Species Details
Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameYellow-cloaked Midget, The Half-yellow
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from mid June to mid July.
IdentificationA small (1.8-2.4 cm wingspan) bright yellow and purple-brown moth. The head, thorax and basal half of the forewings are bright yellow, except for a small spot of purple-brown at the wing base. The sharply divided outer half of the forewing including the fringe is dark purple-brown, mixed with white scales in the apical area, giving it a slightly frosted appearance. The hindwings are light brown or white peppered with brown scales, which also line the veins and form a diffuse dark outer border. The hindwing fringe is brown on the basal half and white on the outer half. Antennae simple; sexes alike. Impossible to mistake for any other Alberta insect.
Scientific Name
Tarachidia semiflava
Common Name
Yellow-cloaked Midget, The Half-yellow
Habitat
Dry open areas such as sandy prairie, old beaches and dunes.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from mid June to mid July.
Identification
A small (1.8-2.4 cm wingspan) bright yellow and purple-brown moth. The head, thorax and basal half of the forewings are bright yellow, except for a small spot of purple-brown at the wing base. The sharply divided…
A small (1.8-2.4 cm wingspan) bright yellow and purple-brown moth. The head, thorax and basal half of the forewings are bright yellow, except for a small spot of purple-brown at the wing base. The sharply divided outer half of the forewing including the fringe is dark purple-brown, mixed with white scales in the apical area, giving it a slightly frosted appearance. The hindwings are light brown or white peppered with brown scales, which also line the veins and form a diffuse dark outer border. The hindwing fringe is brown on the basal half and white on the outer half. Antennae simple; sexes alike. Impossible to mistake for any other Alberta insect.
Life History
The adults are nocturnal and come to light, but are also easily flushed during the day. There is a single brood. The larvae have apparently not been described.
Conservation
A widespread but uncommon moth; possibly a dune specialist.
Diet Info
Unknown. No Alberta data. The only reported host is Trumpets or Pitcherplant (Sarracenia flava) (Covell, 1984). This would be a very unusual host and is certainly a case of mistaken identification, The unrelated but…
Unknown. No Alberta data. The only reported host is Trumpets or Pitcherplant (Sarracenia flava) (Covell, 1984). This would be a very unusual host and is certainly a case of mistaken identification, The unrelated but superficially almost identical Exyra semicrocea (Gn.) does use Sarracena as its host.
Range
New England south to Florida and Arizona; north to southern Manitoba and west to the southern interior of British Columbia. In Alberta it has been collected locally from the Milk River north to Lloyminster and…
New England south to Florida and Arizona; north to southern Manitoba and west to the southern interior of British Columbia. In Alberta it has been collected locally from the Milk River north to Lloyminster and Redwater, west to Olds.
Citation
Page Citation for Tarachidia semiflava
Page Citation
"Species Details - Tarachidia semiflava, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3697/9-52834. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
References
Author
Covell, C. V., Jr.
Title
A field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date
1984
Pages
496
Specimen Information
There are 52 specimens of this Species.
UASM13788 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-06-04
UASM13793 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-06-04
UASM13795 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-06-08
UASM13796 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-06-21
UASM19969 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2000-06-28/2000-06-29
UASM41609 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-06-13
UASM41664 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Kettle Valley Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1993-07-04/1993-07-05
UASM58034 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer River
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Schmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2004-06-03/2004-06-04
BIRD7354 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-06-25
BIRD7355 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Conservation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-07-20
UASM57516 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-06-16
UASM58481 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-06-16
BIRD15124 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-31
BIRD15125 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-19
BIRD15126 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-19
BIRD15127 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-07-16
BIRD15128 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-07-26
JD2567 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Idaho, Idaho county, Riggins
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J. et al
Date Collected2007-07-02
JD4994 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Orion
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Rose, A.
Date Collected2008-07-08
CBCC1553 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Moose Lake Provincial Park
Collected ByChristensen, C. B.
Date Collected2006-07-12
UASM163299 - Tarachidia semiflava
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, South Saskatchewan River
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2000-06-25