Ctenucha cressonana

Grote, 1863

Cresson's ctenucha

Ctenucha cressonana, commonly known as Cresson's ctenucha, is a in the Erebidae, Arctiinae. The was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1863. It is a member of the Ctenucha, a group of tiger moths known for their -mimicking appearance and activity. The species occurs in the Rocky Mountains of the southwestern United States. have been observed laying on grass blades, though the specific plant for larval development remains unknown.

Ctenucha cressonana by Sally King. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ctenucha cressonana: /tɛˈnuːkə krɛˈsoʊnænə/

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

Images

Distribution

Found in the Rocky Mountains of the southwestern United States, specifically in Colorado and New Mexico.

Host Associations

grass - -laying substrate have been observed laying on blades of grass, though whether grass serves as a larval plant is unknown.

Similar Taxa

Ctenucha virginicaBoth are members of the Ctenucha and share -mimicking coloration, but C. virginica occurs east of the Rocky Mountains.
Ctenucha rubroscapusAnother western North American Ctenucha with similar overall , but distinguished by geographic range and specific coloration patterns.

More Details

Wingspan

Approximately 45 mm.

Taxonomic history

The Ctenucha was formerly placed in , which was later subsumed into Noctuidae, and is now classified in Erebidae following modern phylogenetic revisions.