Observation date: May 02, 2018
Submitted by: darren15_71203
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Found it hiding next to my water hose storage box, in the shade. Sunny, 80+ degree weather.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 03, 2018
Coordinator notes: Based on extensive black on forewing and images on MPG, the "likely" id is A. vittata.
From bugguide.net "There are no 100% consistent diagnostic characteristics in wing maculation or spots/no spots on the patagia (the "collar"), to reliably distinguish nais/carlotta/phalerata/vittata. The only full-proof method is dissection and examination of genitalia (the exception is in male phalerata, in which the valve is easily distinguished by its longer, up-curved apex. So one could brush the scales away from the last sternite and see it without dissection. The nais/carlotta/vittata group have rather blunt and rounded apices of the valve.) However, within this group, using the sum of typical (although not necessarily diagnostic) characteristics, can allow for a reasonably probable species ID.
