Aseptis perfumosa
Hampson, 1918
Aseptis perfumosa is a noctuid to southern California, first described by George Hampson in 1918. It occupies diverse from sea level to 2000 meters elevation, including coastal chaparral, canyons, urban areas, brush land, and open oak forest. The is , with active from early April to early June at lower elevations and slightly later at higher elevations. Larvae feed on species of Arctostaphylos.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aseptis perfumosa: /əˈsɛptɪs pɜːrˈfjuːmoʊsə/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Aseptis by combination of: acute and prominent claviform spot (usually most conspicuous dark marking); slightly mottled dark gray brown forewing ground color with scattered colored in medial area; short black basal dash; and specific wing pattern of incomplete faint lines filled with brown. Dark hindwings without conspicuous separate from some paler . Geographic restriction to southern California supports identification.
Images
Appearance
Medium-sized noctuid with wingspan of 30.5–34.5 mm. Forewings slightly mottled dark gray brown, approaching black in some individuals, with scattered grayish, brownish, olive, or reddish in medial area surrounding velvety black spots. Acute claviform spot usually most prominent. Short black basal dash present. Incomplete faint wavy basal, antemedial, and postmedial lines filled with brown. Irregular complete brown subterminal line. Hindwing of both sexes dark grayish brown with inconspicuous .
Habitat
Coastal chaparral, canyons, urban areas, brush land, and open oak forest. Elevation range from sea level to 2000 meters.
Distribution
to southern California, United States.
Seasonality
on wing from early April to early June in coastal areas; activity extends slightly later at higher elevations.
Diet
Larvae feed on Arctostaphylos .
Host Associations
- Arctostaphylos - larval food plant of manzanitas; specific not documented in sources
Similar Taxa
- Aseptis fumosaSimilar dark forewing coloration; requires examination of claviform spot shape and prominence, plus geographic range (A. fumosa more widespread)
- Aseptis binotataOverlapping pattern elements; distinguished by specific spot configuration and hindwing coloration
More Details
Taxonomic history
First described by George Hampson in 1918. Placement in Acronictinae follows recent phylogenetic revisions of Noctuidae.
Elevation effects on phenology
period shows modest altitudinal shift, with higher elevation emerging later than coastal populations.