Drasteria edwardsii

Behr, 1870

A in the Erebidae found along the Pacific coast of North America from Washington through Oregon to California. are active in late summer and fall, with bright coloration on the hindwings that is concealed at rest and flashed as a startle defense. The is named in honor of Henry Edwards, a prominent 19th-century entomologist.

Drasteria edwardsii by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.Drasteria edwardsii by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.Drasteria edwardsii-3 by Eugene Zelenko. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Drasteria edwardsii: /dræˈstɛr.i.ə ɛdˈwɔrd.zaɪ.i/

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Identification

possess concealed bright orange or red hindwing patches that are flashed when disturbed, a defensive trait shared with related Drasteria . Forewings are cryptically patterned in gray and brown tones. The species is part of the 'underwing ' group within Erebinae, though not in the Catocala. Specific diagnostic characters separating it from congeneric species require examination of genitalia or detailed wing pattern analysis.

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Habitat

Associated with forested and woodland in the Pacific coastal region. Specific microhabitat preferences are not well documented.

Distribution

Pacific coastal North America: Washington, Oregon, and California.

Seasonality

active in late summer and fall; records from August through October based on related patterns in the region.

Behavior

exhibit a startle defense response: when disturbed, they flash brightly colored hindwings to surprise potential before taking . At rest, the cryptic forewings render the nearly invisible against bark or leaf litter substrates.

Ecological Role

may visit flowers for nectar; larvae likely function as herbivores, though specific plants are undocumented. The contributes to and serves as prey for bats, birds, and other .

Human Relevance

Occasionally encountered by enthusiasts and at light-based survey events. Not known to be of economic significance.

Similar Taxa

  • Drasteria mirificaSympatric with similar startle defense using concealed bright hindwings; distinguished by differences in forewing pattern and hindwing coloration
  • Catocala underwing mothsSimilar startle defense with bright hindwings; distinguished by different forewing venation and pattern, and placement in separate

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