Cisseps

Franclemont, 1936

scape moths

Species Guides

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Cisseps is a of in the Erebidae, established by John G. Franclemont in 1936. The genus contains three described , with Cisseps fulvicollis (yellow-collared scape moth) being the most widely recognized. These moths are notable for their daytime activity and aposematic coloration, typically featuring a bright yellow or orange collar against a black body.

Cisseps fulvicollis by (c) brendanboyd, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Cisseps fulvicollis P1460276a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Cisseps fulvicollis 167981491 by Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cisseps: /ˈsɪsɛps/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of Cisseps can be distinguished from similar tiger moths by the combination of a bright yellow or orange collar (the 'scape' that gives the ) on a predominantly black body, and . The yellow-collared scape (C. fulvicollis) specifically shows a narrow yellow collar and is active during daylight hours, unlike many relatives.

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Habitat

Found in gardens, meadows, and open areas where larval plants (grasses and sedges) and nectar sources occur.

Distribution

North America, with records from Vermont and other parts of the United States.

Seasonality

Late summer and autumn; are active during daylight hours.

Host Associations

  • grasses - larval laid on grasses and sedges
  • sedges - larval laid on grasses and sedges
  • Eupatorium coelestinum - food sourcehardy ageratum, nectar source

Life Cycle

are laid on grasses and sedges. Caterpillars are feeders and rarely observed. occurs in the larval or pupal stage, with emerging in late summer.

Behavior

are and visit flowers for nectar and pollen. Caterpillars feed at night. The bright coloration serves as aposematic warning of unpalatability.

Ecological Role

act as when visiting flowers. Caterpillars serve as herbivores on grasses and sedges. The aposematic coloration contributes to education in shared .

Human Relevance

Considered beneficial garden visitors due to pollination services and attractive appearance. No known negative impacts.

Similar Taxa

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally placed in , now classified in Erebidae Arctiinae following recent molecular phylogenetic revisions of Lepidoptera.

Etymology

The 'scape ' refers to the bright collar-like coloration on the ; 'scape' in entomology can refer to the basal segment of the , though here it describes the visual appearance of the collar.

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