Loxostege anartalis
Grote, 1877
Loxostege anartalis is a small crambid described by Grote in 1877. It has a transcontinental distribution across Canada and extends south to California in the western United States. The exhibits notable geographic variation, with five recognized . are active in spring and early summer, and the species is known to be a for the mason wasp Euodynerus annulatus.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Loxostege anartalis: //ˌlɒk.soʊˈstiːdʒ əˌnɑːrˈteɪ.lɪs//
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Identification
The five can be distinguished by geographic range and subtle differences in wing pattern and coloration: L. a. anartalis (California), L. a. albertalis (Manitoba to interior British Columbia, north to Northwest Territories and Alaska), L. a. lulualis (California to Quebec), L. a. rainierensis (Washington), and L. a. saxicolalis (Utah to Wyoming).
Appearance
have a wingspan of 20–24 mm. The shows considerable variation in color and pattern across its range, with five recognized differing in markings.
Distribution
Transcontinental across Canada from coast to coast. Western range extends south to California. Additional records from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Seasonality
have been recorded on wing from April to July.
Ecological Role
Larval for the mason wasp Euodynerus annulatus, which provisions its nests with caterpillars of this .
More Details
Subspecies
Five recognized: L. a. anartalis (California), L. a. albertalis Barnes & McDunnough, 1918 (Manitoba west to southern interior British Columbia, north to Northwest Territories and Alaska), L. a. lulualis (Hulst, 1886) (California to Quebec), L. a. rainierensis Munroe, 1976 (Washington), L. a. saxicolalis Barnes & McDunnough, 1918 (Utah to Wyoming)
Nomenclatural note
Originally described as Eurycreon anartalis; transferred to Loxostege. Authority sometimes cited as Grote, 1878.