Greya obscuromaculata
Olle PellmyrAdult Characteristics
Wing expanse 13-17 mm. Body pale ochreous to near white. Forewings with a white base color, and with spots of dark or light brown; sexes are strongly dimorphic, with males having isolated darker patches on a solid background, whereas females have more extensive dark on the forewings, creating fused spots and a checkerspot pattern. Hindwings uniformly gray.
Comparison with Similar Species
The species superficially resembles G. reticulata and some forms of G. variabilis. It can be distinguished from both by the blunt, short-spined pollex in the male and the presence of large signa in the female.
Host, Oviposition, and Larval Feeding Habits
Unknown, but females often found resting on or near Osmorhiza chilensis (Apiaceae) and Tiarella trifoliata (Saxifragaceae).
Geographic Distribution
Known from southern British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, and from Washington, Idaho, and Montana, USA.
Habitat
In moist coniferous forest from sea level to 1500 m. It often coexists with G. variabilis and G. mitellae.
Ecological Notes
Even though this species visits Lithophragma flowers just like G. politella, and drink nectar from the flowers, there is no indication that they contribute to pollination (Pellmyr et al 1996).
References
Davis, D.R., O. Pellmyr & J.N. Thompson. 1992. Biology and systematics of Greya Busck and Tetragma n. gen. (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae). Smiths. Contrib. Zool. 524:1-88.
About This Page
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
Page copyright © 1996
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Citing this page:
Pellmyr, Olle. 1996. Greya obscuromaculata http://tolweb.org/Greya_obscuromaculata/12321/1996.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
. Version 01 January 1996 (under construction).