Virbia costata

Stretch, 1884

Virbia costata is a in the Erebidae, Arctiinae. It was described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1884 and is found in the western United States. The exhibits in forewing length, with males averaging 11.7 mm and females 13.5 mm.

Virbia costata by (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette. Used under a CC-BY license.Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalænæ in the British museum (1898) (14789189813) by British Museum (Natural History). Dept. of Zoology; Hampson, George Francis, Sir, 10th bart., 1860-1936. Used under a No restrictions license.Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalænæ in the British museum (1898) (14766148321) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Virbia costata: /ˈvɪr.bi.ə kɒˈstaː.tə/

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Identification

Specific identification features distinguishing V. costata from other Virbia are not documented in available sources. The species can be recognized by its geographic range and the documented in forewing length.

Images

Appearance

have forewings measuring approximately 11.7 mm in males and 13.5 mm in females. As a member of the Virbia, it likely exhibits the characteristic bright coloration typical of tiger moths in this group, though specific pattern details for this are not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Specific preferences are not documented. Based on its distribution in the western United States, it likely occurs in arid and semi-arid environments including grasslands and open woodlands.

Distribution

Western United States, ranging eastward to western Oklahoma and northward to Colorado.

Seasonality

are on wing in July in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma. In the Big Bend region of Texas, adults have been observed in June and again in early August.

Diet

Larvae have been reared on plantain (Plantago). feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

  • Plantago - larval food plantLarvae reared on plantain

Life Cycle

Larval stage feeds on plantain . and other developmental details are not documented.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Virbia speciesMembers of the Virbia share similar body plans and bright coloration; accurate identification requires examination of genitalia or geographic range

More Details

Original description

First described as Crocota costata by Richard Harper Stretch in 1884, later transferred to the Virbia.

Sources and further reading