Common NameChevron MothIdentificationA medium size (approx. 3.0 –3.5 cm wingspan) rusty-orange moth with broad pointed (subfalcate) forewings. “Light ochre yellow, heavily shaded and dusted with rusty orange; the lines (sometimes only the upper half of pm. and dash to apex) defined with white scaling, and costal part of st. space partly frosted with white. Lines about as in propulsata, less deeply waved; hind wing with dark border and traces of a nearly complete pm. line parallel to it.” (Forbes, 1948). Testata has a somewhat glossy appearance that, along with the white scaling on the apical dash and outside the upper pm. line, will separate it from E. propulsata.
Scientific NameEulithis testataCommon Name
Chevron Moth
Habitat
It frequents mesic deciduous wooded habitats.
Identification
A medium size (approx. 3.0 –3.5 cm wingspan) rusty-orange moth with broad pointed (subfalcate) forewings. “Light ochre yellow, heavily shaded and dusted with rusty orange; the lines (sometimes only the upper half…
A medium size (approx. 3.0 –3.5 cm wingspan) rusty-orange moth with broad pointed (subfalcate) forewings. “Light ochre yellow, heavily shaded and dusted with rusty orange; the lines (sometimes only the upper half of pm. and dash to apex) defined with white scaling, and costal part of st. space partly frosted with white. Lines about as in propulsata, less deeply waved; hind wing with dark border and traces of a nearly complete pm. line parallel to it.” (Forbes, 1948). Testata has a somewhat glossy appearance that, along with the white scaling on the apical dash and outside the upper pm. line, will separate it from E. propulsata.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood, with adults mid July through mid September, peaking in mid August. Reported larval hosts include poplar, birch, alder, willow, Ribes sp., and…
Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood, with adults mid July through mid September, peaking in mid August. Reported larval hosts include poplar, birch, alder, willow, Ribes sp., and Vaccinium. FIDS host plant records for Alberta are predominantly willow (22), and to a lesser extent aspen poplar (7) and alder (1) (Prentice, 1963).
Range
Holarctic. Great Britain and Scandinavia east to Japan. In North America from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and AK, south in the east to about NJ and in the west to CO. Testata has been collected throughout most of…
Holarctic. Great Britain and Scandinavia east to Japan. In North America from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and AK, south in the east to about NJ and in the west to CO. Testata has been collected throughout most of Alberta, from the far north to wooded riparian areas in the southern grasslands, although most records come from mountains and parklands in the southern half of the province.
NotesTestata appears to be the only species in this fairly large genus that has a Holarctic distribution.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Eulithis testata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Eulithis testata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6167. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.
References
AuthorPrentice, R. M.
TitleForest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1963)
Publication Date1963
Volume3
Pages281
AuthorMcGuffin, W. C.
TitleGuide to the Geometridae of Canada (Lepidoptera): II. Subfamily Ennominae, 2.
Publication Date1977
Series TitleMemoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume101
Pages191
AuthorHandfield, L.
TitleLe guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date1999
Pages536
AuthorForbes, William T. M.
TitleLepidoptera of New York & neighbouring states : Part 2
Publication Date1948
Series TitleCornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Pages263
Specimen Information
There are 75 specimens of this Species.
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75 results plotted on map in 30 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.