Apantesis blakei
Grote, 1864
Blake's Tiger Moth
Apantesis blakei, commonly known as Blake's Tiger Moth, is a of tiger moth in the Erebidae. First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864, this species was formerly classified under the Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related genera. It is native to the North American Great Plains and southern prairie provinces of Canada, where its larvae feed on a documented range of grass and sedge species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Apantesis blakei: //əˈpænθəsɪs ˈbleɪki//
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Habitat
Prairie and grassland of the North American Great Plains. Associated with native grassland vegetation including mixed-grass and short-grass prairie .
Distribution
North American Great Plains and southern prairie provinces of Canada. Specifically documented from grassland regions across the plains states and Canadian prairies.
Diet
Larvae feed on Antennaria dimorpha, Koeleria cristata, Poa sandbergii, Stipa comata, Agropyron smithii, Eurotia lanata, Bouteloua gracilis, and Carex . These plants are primarily grasses and sedges characteristic of prairie .
Host Associations
- Antennaria dimorpha - larval food plant herb
- Koeleria cristata - larval food plantgrass
- Poa sandbergii - larval food plantgrass
- Stipa comata - larval food plantgrass
- Agropyron smithii - larval food plantgrass
- Eurotia lanata - larval food plantshrub
- Bouteloua gracilis - larval food plantgrass
- Carex - larval food plantsedge
Life Cycle
Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Specific timing of developmental stages not documented in available sources.
Ecological Role
Herbivore in prairie . Larvae consume above-ground portions of grasses and sedges, contributing to nutrient cycling in grassland . As a member of the tiger moth Arctiinae, may participate in pollination.
Human Relevance
Subject of entomological study and citizen science documentation through platforms such as iNaturalist. Not known to be an agricultural pest. The serves as an indicator of intact prairie quality.
Similar Taxa
- Apantesis naisFormerly classified in Grammia; shares similar tiger moth and prairie preferences. Distinguished by specific wing pattern details not fully documented in available sources.
- Apantesis phalerataFormerly in Grammia; overlaps in Great Plains distribution. Differentiation requires examination of forewing pattern and hindwing coloration.
- Grammia speciesHistorical classification confusion; A. blakei was formerly placed in Grammia. Modern separates these based on morphological and molecular characters.
More Details
Taxonomic History
This underwent significant taxonomic revision when the Grammia, Holarctia, and Notarctia were synonymized with or transferred to Apantesis. This reclassification reflects modern phylogenetic understanding of the Arctiinae .
Conservation Context
As a prairie with documented plant associations, this may be vulnerable to loss from agricultural conversion, urban development, and fire management practices that reduce native grass diversity. However, specific status has not been assessed.