Hodges#11064

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pyrrhia exprimens: /ˈpɪə.ri.ə ɛkˈspraɪ.mɛnz/

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Summary

Pyrrhia exprimens, also known as the purple-lined sallow, is a moth of the family Noctuidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1857. It is found across a wide range in North America and some regions in Eurasia. Adults are nocturnal and come to light, primarily active from May to August.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan 35–38 mm. Adult forewing has sharply bent median line with a dark purple postmedian line; brown/orange on basal side of median line with purple shading on terminal side. Hindwing has a purple/black border. Larvae: fourth instar body is green with white lateral stripe and many black dots; fifth instar is white with dark yellow lateral stripe and many black dots.

Identification Tips

Look for the sharply bent median line on the forewings and the distinct purple shading. Adults can be observed coming to lights at night during their flight period from May to August.

Habitat

Open wooded areas, bogs, urban yards.

Distribution

From Newfoundland and Labrador, across southern Canada to southern Vancouver Island, and south to Texas, Arizona, and California. Additionally found in Finland, West Siberian plain, South Siberian Mountains, and Kazakhstan.

Diet

Adults feed generally on forbs and woody plants including legumes, chicory, columbine, dogbane, monkshood, pea, penstemon, poplar, rose, and strawberry. Larvae feed primarily on species of Polygonum and Aconitum septentrionale, among others.

Life Cycle

The species undergoes complete metamorphosis with distinct larval and adult stages.

Conservation Status

Covell notes that the species is uncommon; however, Handfield records it as common in Quebec.

Tags

• Lepidoptera
• Noctuidae
• Moth
• Nocturnal
• Pyrrhia exprimens