Eudryas unio

Hübner, 1831

Pearly Wood-nymph

Eudryas unio, the pearly wood-nymph, is a noctuid native to eastern North America. are active from May through August and have a wingspan of 26–35 mm. The was historically confused with Eudryas brevipennis, but genitalia differences in both sexes confirm their separation. Isolated occur in central Utah and California, with the California population potentially representing a distinct .

Eudryas unio SERC 07-22-16 (27927306894) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Eudryas unio by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Eudryas unio P1300084c by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eudryas unio: /juːˈdraɪəs ˈjuːni.oʊ/

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Identification

Distinguished from the closely related Eudryas brevipennis by differences in genitalia in both sexes. The two were formerly considered or subspecific, but structural differences in reproductive anatomy support their status as separate species.

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Appearance

Wingspan measures 26–35 mm. exhibit coloration and patterning characteristic of the Eudryas, though specific wing patterns are not detailed in available sources.

Habitat

Occurs in diverse environments across its broad eastern North American range, from the Atlantic seaboard to the eastern Great Plains. Specific microhabitat preferences for or larvae are not documented in available sources.

Distribution

Eastern United States from central New Hampshire and southern Ontario south to southern Florida. Western range extends to eastern Great Plains, southern Texas, and Veracruz on Mexico's eastern coast. Isolated documented in central Utah and California.

Seasonality

are active from May to August.

Diet

Larvae feed on Vitis (grapes), Oenothera biennis (evening primrose), Ludwigia, Lythrum, Decodon verticillatus (swamp loosestrife), and Hibiscus.

Host Associations

  • Vitis - larval food plantgrape
  • Oenothera biennis - larval food plantcommon evening primrose
  • Ludwigia - larval food plant
  • Lythrum - larval food plant
  • Decodon verticillatus - larval food plantswamp loosestrife
  • Hibiscus - larval food plant

Similar Taxa

  • Eudryas brevipennisFormerly considered a possible , but differs in genitalia structure of both sexes.

More Details

Taxonomic History

Eudryas brevipennis was once treated as a of E. unio, but examination of genitalia in both sexes revealed consistent differences supporting -level separation.

California Population

Isolated California may represent a distinct , though this requires further taxonomic study.

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Sources and further reading