Euchaetes antica

Walker, 1856

Euchaetes antica is a small in the Erebidae, described by Francis Walker in 1856. It is distributed across the southwestern United States and Central America, ranging from Arizona and New Mexico south through Mexico to Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. The exhibits in forewing length, with males measuring 13–15 mm and females 16–20 mm. Larvae feed specifically on Asclepias subverticillata, a milkweed species.

Euchaetes antica by (c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue Carnahan. Used under a CC-BY license.MZLU-00115507 (50984755578) by NSG group from Lund, Sweden. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Euchaetes antica: //juːˈkeɪtiːz ˈæntɪkə//

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Identification

Distinguished from other Euchaetes by geographic range and plant association with Asclepias subverticillata. Smaller than the widespread Euchaetes egle (milkweed tussock ), which occurs in eastern and central North America. Male forewing length under 16 mm and female forewing length under 21 mm fall below typical measurements for E. egle. The southwestern U.S. and Central American distribution does not overlap with E. egle's primarily eastern range.

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Habitat

Associated with supporting Asclepias subverticillata, a milkweed . Specific habitat details not documented, but likely includes arid and semi-arid regions given the distribution across southwestern North America and Central America.

Distribution

Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, south through Mexico to Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala.

Diet

Larvae feed on Asclepias subverticillata (whorled milkweed). feeding habits not documented.

Host Associations

  • Asclepias subverticillata - larval plantsole documented ; larvae feed on foliage

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Specific timing and duration of stages not documented. Presumed to have multiple per year given the warm-climate distribution, but this is not confirmed.

Behavior

Larval feeding not described in detail. are , consistent with Erebidae.

Ecological Role

Specialized herbivore on Asclepias subverticillata. Likely sequesters cardiac glycosides from plant, as documented in Euchaetes egle, conferring chemical defense against . Specific ecological interactions not studied.

Human Relevance

No documented economic importance. Not known to be a significant agricultural pest. Potential interest to lepidopterists and naturalists in its range.

Similar Taxa

  • Euchaetes egleLarger size (males 18–20 mm, females 22–24 mm forewing length), eastern and central North American distribution, and broader range on multiple Asclepias including A. syriaca and A. incarnata.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described as Halesidota antica by Francis Walker in 1856; later transferred to Euchaetes.

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Sources and further reading