Zotheca
| Zotheca | |
|---|---|
| |
| Zotheca tranquilla | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Subfamily: | Xyleninae |
| Tribe: | Xylenini |
| Subtribe: | Cosmiina |
| Genus: | Grote, 1874 |
Zotheca is a monotypic genus of moths of the family Noctuidae. It contains one species: Zotheca tranquilla, or the elder moth. It is found in western North America.[1][2]
Description
Adult elder moths are usually pale green, although some tan specimens have been recorded. The forewings are light green with darker green markings. The hindwings are white.[2] Adults are on wing in the summer.[2][3]
Larva have a pattern of yellow, black, and purple.[2]
Habitat and host plant
Elder moths are found in riparian habitats and moist forest habitats. The larvae feed on Sambucus (elderberry) plants.[2]
References
- ^ Lafontaine, Donald; Schmidt, Christian (2010-03-19). "Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico". ZooKeys (40): 1–239. Bibcode:2010ZooK...40....1L. doi:10.3897/zookeys.40.414. ISSN 1313-2970.
- ^ a b c d e "PNW Moths | Zotheca tranquilla". pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ Pohl, Greg; Anweiler, Gary; Schmidt, Christian; Kondla, Norbert (2010-03-05). "An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta, Canada". ZooKeys (38): 1–549. Bibcode:2010ZooK...38....1P. doi:10.3897/zookeys.38.383. ISSN 1313-2970.
External links