Litocala

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Litocala: //lɪtoʊˈkɑːlə//

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

Images

Litocala sexsignata - inat 184409765 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Erebinae- Litocala sexsignata - 41933525022 by Kristof Zyskowski & Yulia Bereshpolova. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Erebinae- Litocala sexsignata by Kristof Zyskowski & Yulia Bereshpolova. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Litocala sexsignata -70828, Bugglen Tank, Grand Canyon, Arizona. 1 May 1952, E. Christensen (49553014811) by Robb Hannawacker. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Litocala is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, with its only species, Litocala sexsignata, found primarily in the western United States and parts of Mexico. Adults are notable for their distinct wing patterns and are active from March to June.

Physical Characteristics

Forewing dark gray with an oblique whitish or silvery AM band and reniform spot; hindwing black with three large white spots forming a triangle in the median area; fringe silvery white, broken by black near midpoint.

Identification Tips

Look for the distinct dark gray forewing with the whitish AM band and the unique triangular pattern of white spots on the hindwing.

Habitat

Oak woodlands and forests.

Distribution

Found in the United States from Washington to California, east to Montana and Texas; also found in northern Baja California, Mexico.

Diet

Larvae presumably feed on leaves of oak.

Life Cycle

Adults are on wing from March to June.