IdentificationA medium-size moth (3.1-3.6 cm wingspan) with yellow-tan or fawn forewings and yellow hindwings. The forewings have a large but poorly defined reniform spot usually biordered with dark dots and a curved but incomplete poorly defined and sometimes almost obsolescent median band. The hindwings are pale to bright yellow or yellow-orange, with a large black curved discal mark and a black terminal band containing an oblong yellow spot midway. Very similar to Heliothis phloxiphaga which has forewings with a larger and more prominently marked reniform spot, a darker and more prominent median band sharply angled at the reniform, and white hindwings. There are differences in the genitalia of both sexes of the two species as well.
Scientific NameHeliothis acesiasHabitat
Found in wooded edges and meadows.
Identification
A medium-size moth (3.1-3.6 cm wingspan) with yellow-tan or fawn forewings and yellow hindwings. The forewings have a large but poorly defined reniform spot usually biordered with dark dots and a curved but incomplete…
A medium-size moth (3.1-3.6 cm wingspan) with yellow-tan or fawn forewings and yellow hindwings. The forewings have a large but poorly defined reniform spot usually biordered with dark dots and a curved but incomplete poorly defined and sometimes almost obsolescent median band. The hindwings are pale to bright yellow or yellow-orange, with a large black curved discal mark and a black terminal band containing an oblong yellow spot midway. Very similar to Heliothis phloxiphaga which has forewings with a larger and more prominently marked reniform spot, a darker and more prominent median band sharply angled at the reniform, and white hindwings. There are differences in the genitalia of both sexes of the two species as well.
Life History
Almost nothing is known of the life history of acesias. According to Handfield (1999), the larvae of Heliothis acesias are believed to feed on aster and probably other herbaceous plants.
Range
Northern New York and southern Ontario west to southern Saskatchewan and Alberta south to southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada. The only Alberta definite Alberta record is a specimen in the CNC labeled, “Dunes,…
Northern New York and southern Ontario west to southern Saskatchewan and Alberta south to southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada. The only Alberta definite Alberta record is a specimen in the CNC labeled, “Dunes, Alberta”, collected in 1928 by G.F. Manson.
Notes
Workers at the Lethbridge Research Station were aware of the Pakowki Lake dunes, where they collected Copablepharon and other moths in the 1920s (Strickland, 1920), and these may be the “Dunes” referred to b…
Workers at the Lethbridge Research Station were aware of the Pakowki Lake dunes, where they collected Copablepharon and other moths in the 1920s (Strickland, 1920), and these may be the “Dunes” referred to b Manson. The male genitalic images are from Hardwick, 1994; 8 – aedeagus and base of vesica of phloxiphaga; 9 – ditto for acesias.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Heliothis acesias
Page Citation
"Species Details - Heliothis acesias, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6176. Accessed 04 Nov. 2024.
References
AuthorHardwick, D. F.
TitleA monograph to the North American Heliothentinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Publication Date1996
Pages281
AuthorHardwick, D. F.
TitleA review of the phloxiphaga group of the genus Heliothis (Noctuidae: Heliothentinae) with description of a new species.
Publication Date1994
Series TitleJournal of the Lepidopterists' Society
Volume48
Pages106-110
AuthorHandfield, L.
TitleLe guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date1999
Pages536
AuthorStrickland, E. H.
TitleThe Noctuid genus Copablepharon (Harvey) with notes on its taxonomic relationships
Publication Date1920
Series TitlePsyche
Volume27
Pages81-85
Specimen Information
There are 7 specimens of this Species.
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7 results plotted on map in 3 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.