Stiria consuela Strecker

Stiria consuela Strecker, 1900, Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera and Heterocera, Supplement 3:34.

Diagnosis: Stiria consuela is a distinctive species. The forewing has a whitish, washed out appearance. The brown patch along the outer margin of the forewing is uniquely absent in this species. The median patch along the forewing inner margin is semicircular, not square or rectangular as in other species of the genus with a median patch. This species does not have any close relatives in either the United States or Mexico. Wing length from base to apex: mean = 15.95 mm., standard deviation = 1.04 mm., n = 10.

Distribution: Stiria consuela has been collected in southern California, southern Nevada, and western and southern Arizona. A great deal of variation is present within populations. The amount of yellow in the forewing varies from obvious to almost absent. Generally the yellower the individual the stronger the maculation, although maculation is never very strong. Some specimens are almost white with even the forewing median patch nearly absent. The male genitalia are particularly variable, in both the strength of the development of the clasper and the degree of dispersion of the distal patch of spines in the vesica. There is no clear geographical variation in the species.

Adults have been collected primarily in the spring, but two specimens from Arizona were taken in August suggesting the possibility of two broods in southern Arizona.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

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