Polychrysia esmeralda

(Oberthür, 1880)

delphinium leaftier

Polychrysia esmeralda, commonly known as the delphinium leaftier, is a noctuid described by Charles Oberthür in 1880. The name derives from Greek roots meaning "many" and "gold," referring to the 's shining golden wing coloration. It occurs across northern North America and eastern Siberia, with larvae specializing on toxic Ranunculaceae plants including monkshood and delphinium. The species is notable for its distinctive larval of tying leaves together with silk and spinning a gold-colored cocoon within.

Polychrysia esmeralda by (c) djcooker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by djcooker. Used under a CC-BY license.

Polychrysia esmeralda by no rights reserved, uploaded by Ben Keen. Used under a CC0 license.

Polychrysia esmeralda by Dumi. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polychrysia esmeralda: //ˌpɒlɪˈkrɪsiə ˌɛzməˈrældə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

resemble Polychrysia moneta but can be distinguished by two key characters: the upperside of the wings is darker (more golden) in P. esmeralda versus paler in P. moneta, and the curved extrabasal line below the of the forewings is simple (single) in P. esmeralda but double in P. moneta. The golden cocoon and leaf-tying of larvae are also distinctive.

Images

Distribution

Northern North America (Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) and eastern Siberia, Asia.

Diet

Larvae feed on monkshood (Aconitum ) and larkspur/delphinium (Delphinium species). have been reported to feed on nectar of fireweed (Chamerion species).

Host Associations

Aconitum - larval food plantmonkshood
Delphinium - larval food plantlarkspur/delphinium
Chamerion - nectar sourcefireweed

Life Cycle

are yellow. Larvae are bright green and move in a looper fashion. Fully grown larvae tie leaves together with silk and spin a gold-colored cocoon within this shelter to pupate.

Behavior

Larvae move in a characteristic looper fashion. Mature larvae construct leaf shelters by tying leaves together with silk threads, within which they spin their gold-colored cocoon.

Ecological Role

Larval herbivore on toxic Ranunculaceae plants containing alkaloids; potential as .

Human Relevance

Minor potential pest of ornamental delphinium and monkshood plants in gardens. The has been used as a model for studying insect-plant chemical due to its specialization on alkaloid-rich plants.

Similar Taxa

Polychrysia moneta appear similar but P. moneta has paler wing upperside and double (not simple) curved extrabasal line below the of the forewings.

More Details

Etymology

The name Polychrysia derives from Ancient Greek πολύς (polus) = "many" and χρυσός (khrusos) = "gold", referring to the golden appearance of the .

Taxonomic history

Originally described as Plusia moneta var. esmeralda by Oberthür in 1880, later elevated to status in the Polychrysia.