Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012) | Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD | Technical Description, Adults: Lafontaine and Troubridge, 2003 | Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1954); Wagner et al. (2011) | |
Adult Markings: Our species is smallish, about the size of many Lacinipolia species, with rounded and somewhat blunted forewings. The maculation is highly variable from a uniform pale yellow to a highly spotted orange-tan. The courses of the antemedial and postmedial lines form a triangle which is diagnostic. The lines are well separated on the costa but approach each other at the anal edge of the wing. Sexes are similar. |
Adult Structural Features: In the male, our species has muted characters presenting valves with small bumps and projections. In other species, these features are more pronounced. The vesica has a single cornutus and prominent basal evagination. It is the female which has diagnostic genitalic characters for the anal papillae are highly modified and serrate while the base is expanded forming a setose cup around the papillae. The structure of the bursa is very compact with four elongate signa in the bursa copulatrix. |
Structural photos |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn9815.00_1454948842.jpg) Male reproductive structures |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn9815.00_1454948858.jpg) Aedeagus |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn9815.00_1454948881.jpg) Abdominal pelt |
![](photos_structures/2016/tn9815.00_1454948902.jpg) Female reproductive structures |
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Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens. |
Immatures and Development: The green caterpillar is overlain with white spots and has a distinct white middorsal stripe. They hide in curled leaves or spin a shelter (Wagner et al, 2011). |
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants. |