Two color forms for the Tufted Thyatirin exist, but they still manage to recognize each other despite their differences.
A dark brown variation has gold accents on the hindwings' fringe and inner edge. A trio of black lines cross the wings near the thorax. The 'epultrix' form is pale gray with pink, or salmon-colored, accents along the fringe and base of the forewings. A trio of bands (black-pink-black) cross the wings by the thorax, or a single large pinkish area may be present instead. The thorax region of this moth has a crest of hairs that rise up, almost like those seen in Prominent moths. The tip of the abdomen peeks out about the resting wings. Most times, this moth holds its wings closed above the body, but apart beneath it. This posture creates an 'A-frame' or pup tent shape.
Brown caterpillars feed on a variety of deciduous trees like willow, poplar, alder, and birch. It has serpentine, angled markings and may curl up like a snake. Adults are active from spring through autumn, so more time to reproduce allows for two broods to be produced in each year.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Drepanidae
Genus:Pseudothyatira
Species:cymatophoroides
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides
Category:
Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 23mm to 25mm (0.90in to 0.98in)
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 above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections 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.
Butterfly and Moth Anatomy
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.
Colors: brown; tan; gray; pink
