Bold Medicine Moth (Chrysendeton medicinalis)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Bold Medicine Moth.

Updated: 6/27/2018; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Bold Medicine Moth

Bright colors and a high gloss finish on the Bold Medicine Moth are remarkable, but this tiny flier is still mostly a mystery.

The Bold Medicine Moth's name origin is unknown. The unmistakable colors on the wings of this moth may account for part of its moniker. This orange and white moth is small, but its visual impact is large. A glassy reflection covers the moth, giving it a sheen best seen from oblique viewpoints. The orange-brown color on the forewings is interrupted by a white band that crosses the upper part of the wings and large white spots and dashes on the lower part of the forewings. The hindwings are often visible when at rest with wings flat, and each has a large white circle on the bottom edge that is speckled with dark spots in the center. The hindwings also have a black, white, and orange checkered bottom edge. All the wings have a long, wispy white fringe.

Information regarding the life history, diet, and larvae is still unknown. More research is needed to get a full look into this shiny gem.

Basic Information

Common Name: Bold Medicine Moth

Scientific Name: Chrysendeton medicinalis

Category: Butterfly or Moth

General Identification

Size (Adult; Length): 8mm to 15mm (0.31in to 0.59in)

Identifying Colors: orange, white, black, brown

Additional Descriptors: silver, glassy spots, shimmery, white patches, orange bands, flying, small

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Crambidae

Genus: Chrysendeton

Species: medicinalis

Butterfly and Moth Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American butterfly and moth insect

1

Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

2

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.

3

Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

4

Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.

5

Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.

6

Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.

NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed below as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections below indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Bold Medicine Moth may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

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