Species Details

Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

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 Name Heliothis acesias Habitat 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.

Citation

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

Specimen Information

There are 7 specimens of this Species.

7 results plotted on map in 3 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM139501 - Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-18

UASM139502 - Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-18

UASM139503 - Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2005-06-07

UASM139504 - Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Canfield Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1987-08-08/1987-08-14

UASM139505 - Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2005-08-01

UASM139506 - Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-19

UASM139507 - Heliothis acesias

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-19

Adult Seasonal Distribution