Harrisimemna trisignata
Walker, 1856
Harris's three spot, Harris' Three-Spot
Harrisimemna trisignata is a to North America, ranging from Canada to the southwestern United States. are -sized with a wingspan of 30–36 mm and are active primarily from late spring through summer. The was first described by Francis Walker in 1856. are known to feed on a variety of .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Harrisimemna trisignata: //ˌhærɪsaɪˈmɛmnə traɪsɪɡˈneɪtə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
The can be recognized by its size (30–36 mm wingspan) and the three-spot pattern implied by its . It belongs to the Acronictinae, which includes many species with distinctive markings. Accurate identification may require examination of or comparison with similar in the .
Images
Appearance
have a wingspan of 30–36 mm. The "three spot" refers to characteristic markings on the , though specific pattern details are not fully documented in available sources.
Habitat
Associated with containing its larval plants, including areas with wild raisin, winterberry, bush honeysuckle, willow, ash, and apple. Specific habitat preferences for are not well documented.
Distribution
to North America. In Canada: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In the United States: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, and Arizona.
Seasonality
are on from May to August in Canada. The period likely extends similarly across its range, though regional variation may occur.
Diet
feed on various including wild raisin (Viburnum nudum), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), bush honeysuckle (Diervilla), black willow (Salix nigra), ash (Fraxinus americana), and apple (Malus). feeding habits are not documented.
Host Associations
- wild raisin - larval Viburnum nudum
- winterberry - larval Ilex verticillata
- bush honeysuckle - larval Diervilla
- black willow - larval Salix nigra
- white ash - larval Fraxinus americana
- apple - larval Malus
Ecological Role
Larval on ; contributes to and serves as for and . Specific ecological impacts have not been studied.
Human Relevance
feed on apple, suggesting minor potential as a pest in orchards, though no significant economic impact has been documented. Otherwise has limited direct interaction with humans.
Similar Taxa
- Other Acronictinae speciesShares with many similarly sized with spotted or streaked patterns; requires careful examination for separation
- Other Harrisimemna species contains few ; H. trisignata distinguished by specific spot pattern and distribution
More Details
Taxonomic history
Originally described as Grammophora trisignata by Walker in 1856, later transferred to Harrisimemna. The name honors Thaddeus William Harris (1795–1856), an .
Observation frequency
The has over 2,900 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is moderately well-documented by citizen scientists, though still relatively uncommon compared to widespread species.