Hodges#8594

Cissusa indiscreta

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Erebinae
Tribe: Melipotini
Genus: Cissusa
Species: indiscreta

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cissusa indiscreta: /sɪˈsuːsə ɪnˈdɪskrɪtə/

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Summary

Cissusa indiscreta, commonly known as the indiscreet cissusa moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. It is characterized by its variable forewing coloration and its oak woodlands habitat.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan about 35-42 mm, forewing length 18-20 mm; ground colour variable, ranging from an orange or grey shade of tan to darker brown.

Identification Tips

The larvae are mottled silver, grey and black, which may aid in identifying this species in its larval stage.

Habitat

Dry oak woodlands and mixed hardwood forests.

Distribution

From British Columbia south to California and in the south-west from Arizona to central Colorado.

Diet

Larvae feed on oak species, including canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) and Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana).

Life Cycle

Adults are on wing in spring, with one generation per year.