Schinia ultima

Strecker, 1876

Schinia ultima is a noctuid described by Strecker in 1876. It belongs to the flower moth Schinia, a group of approximately 123 North American whose are often brightly colored and closely associated with their plants. The species has a documented wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Like other members of the genus, adults likely rest on or near the flowers of their host plants during daylight hours.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Schinia ultima: /ˈskɪniə ˈʌltɪmə/

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Identification

can be distinguished from other Schinia by genitalia examination; external alone is often insufficient for definitive identification within this . The small size (23 mm wingspan) and geographic distribution in the south-central United States may help narrow possibilities. Similar species in the same region include other Schinia flower moths with overlapping plant associations.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan approximately 23 mm. As a member of Schinia, likely exhibit the colorful patterning typical of the group, though specific coloration details for this are not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Associated with prairie and grassland in the south-central United States, based on documented distribution records from Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. Specific microhabitat preferences are not documented.

Distribution

Documented from six U.S. states: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. GBIF records confirm presence in North America. No records from Canada or Mexico have been documented.

Behavior

are likely or , as is typical for Schinia. Members of this genus often rest on flowers of their plants during daylight and may be observed nectaring. Larval is undocumented for this .

Similar Taxa

Schinia jaguarinaOverlaps in geographic range (Colorado, Texas) and shares prairie associations; both are flower moths in the same requiring genitalia examination for definitive separation.
Other Schinia speciesThe contains approximately 123 North American , many with similar size and coloration; accurate identification typically requires examination of genitalic structures.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

Originally described as Heliothis ultima by Strecker in 1876, later transferred to Schinia. Placed in Heliothinae (formerly treated as Heliothidae or as part of subfamily Hadeninae in some classifications).

Data Limitations

Available sources provide minimal biological detail beyond basic and distribution. plant relationships, larval , and detailed remain undocumented in the accessible literature.