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Species Details
Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameStriped Garden Caterpillar
SeasonalityThe only Alberta record is a single specimen collected July 18, 2001.
IdentificationA medium-size moth (approx. 2.7 –3.833 cm wingspan). Forewings blue-grey moth with rust and black markings. The basal area and the area in and around the reniform rust brown, area before and lower part of reniform black. Orbicular large, clear blue grey. The claviform spot is a contrasting small black or brown filled wedge.
Very similar to T. rugosa and in particular T. tacoma, but both lack the rust-brown on the forewings found in legitima. There are also differences in the male genitalia.
Scientific Name
Trichordestra legitima
Common Name
Striped Garden Caterpillar
Habitat
Occurs in meadows, clearings, edges, gardens. etc.
Seasonality
The only Alberta record is a single specimen collected July 18, 2001.
Identification
A medium-size moth (approx. 2.7 –3.833 cm wingspan). Forewings blue-grey moth with rust and black markings. The basal area and the area in and around the reniform rust brown, area before and lower part of reniform…
A medium-size moth (approx. 2.7 –3.833 cm wingspan). Forewings blue-grey moth with rust and black markings. The basal area and the area in and around the reniform rust brown, area before and lower part of reniform black. Orbicular large, clear blue grey. The claviform spot is a contrasting small black or brown filled wedge.
Very similar to T. rugosa and in particular T. tacoma, but both lack the rust-brown on the forewings found in legitima. There are also differences in the male genitalia.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light, but also fly and nectar during cloudy days. There is a single annual brood.
Diet Info
Crumb (1956) reported it was a general feeder, and Handfield (1999) lists over 20 genera of plants. Preferred hosts include slender grasses in the genera Muhlengergia and Agrostis (Godfrey). An occasional pest of…
Crumb (1956) reported it was a general feeder, and Handfield (1999) lists over 20 genera of plants. Preferred hosts include slender grasses in the genera Muhlengergia and Agrostis (Godfrey). An occasional pest of garden vegetables, tobacco, grasses and other plantings (Covell, 1984).
Range
Widespread in eastern North America; in Canada from Newfoundland west to extreme northeastern Alberta.
Notes
The only Alberta record is a single specimen collected July 18, 2001 on the north shore of Lake Athabasca.
The illustrated specimen is from Ontario.
Citation
Page Citation for Trichordestra legitima
Page Citation
"Species Details - Trichordestra legitima, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-5138/9-172700. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
References
Author
Covell, C. V., Jr.
Title
A field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date
1984
Pages
496
Author
Godfrey, G. L.
Title
A review and reclassification of catterpillars of the subfamily Hadeninane (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) of America north of Mexico.
Publication Date
1971
Author
Handfield, L.
Title
Le guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
536
Author
Crumb, S. E.
Title
The Larvae of the Phalaenidae.
Publication Date
1956
Series Title
United States Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin
Volume
1135
Pages
1-356
Specimen Information
There are 23 specimens of this Species.
UASM41775 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Fidler-Greywillow Wildland Park, Fidler Point
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected2001-07-18
UASM57866 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1998-06-26
UASM120980 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-07
UASM120981 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-06-28
UASM120982 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-07-14
UASM120983 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1998-06-02
UASM120984 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile
Collected ByTurgeon, M.
Date Collected1996-07-02
UASM120985 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1998-06-29
UASM120986 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1995-06-26
UASM120987 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1995-06-26
UASM120988 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-07-10
UASM120989 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-07-10
UASM120990 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-07-10
UASM120991 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-12
UASM120992 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-12
UASM120993 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-06-28
UASM120994 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-12
UASM120995 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-07-10
UASM120996 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-12
UASM120997 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-12
UASM120998 - Trichordestra legitima
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Nova Scotia, Springville
Collected ByHensel, G.
Date Collected1996-06-03