Noctuidae - Agaristinae

 

 

 

Xerociris wilsonii (Grote) 1863

Ciris wilsonii Grote, 1863, Proc. Ent. Soc. Philadelphia, 2:65, pl. 3, fig. 1.

Diagnosis: Xerociris wilsonii is a distinctive species. The forewing is mostly shiny white with a dark olive-brown outer margin, inner margin, and projecting patch from the inner margin along the antemedial line. The hindwing is pure white except from a rich red-brown patch at the inner angle. The costal margin of the forewing is shaded with olive-brown between the antemedial and postmedial and antemedial lines. The orbicular mark is a distinct small olive-brown spot and the reniform mark is a fat, comma shaped mark, often with a thin internal white line. This species is superfically somewhat like Euthisanotia grata, but the pectinate male antennae and the detailed appearance of the forewing will immediately distinguish from grata, or for that matter, any other North American noctuid.

Distribution: This species occurs throughout most of the state of Texas and into south central Oklahoma. The species also occurs in Mexico and has been collected in the states of San Luis Potosi and Sinaloa. It probably occurs throughout most of northern and central Mexico.

Adults have been collected throughout most of the year from April to October. There is no indication of any particular seasonality to the specimens I have seen.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: The larva has been described by Crumb (1956) from specimens reared from Cissus trifoliata (Vitaceae).

Foodplants: Cissus trifoliata, Cissus incisa (Vitaceae)

 

Xerociris wilsonii

Similar Species

Eudryas grata