Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012) | Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD | Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1954), as Xylomiges alternans | Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2011) | |
Adult Markings: Pattern fairly distinct but could be confused with Psaphida rolandi. In Egira look for the alternate light and dark rings on the abdomen, there is often a reddish flush overlaying the forewing pattern, and it is in flight slightly later than Psaphida. In the heath habitats of the Coastal Plain it is often the most common spring noctuid whereas Psaphida species are quite uncommon. Sexes are similar. |
Adult Structural Features: Both male and female genitalia are complex and unlikely to be confused with any species superficially resembling this species. |
Structural photos |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn10517.00_1451775556.jpg) Male reproductive structures |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn10517.00_1451775576.jpg) Aedeagus |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn10517.00_1451775593.jpg) Abdominal pelt |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn10517.00_1451775615.jpg) Female reproductive structures |
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Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens. |
Immatures and Development: The brownish caterpillar has an orange head and a broad white to pinkish-brown spiracular stripe extending the length of the body, but that is also true for caterpillars of Orthosia revicta and no good characters for separating these two species have been found (Wagner, 2005). Apparently the European species hibernates before pupating but that has not been reported for our species. |
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood. |