Observation date: June 20, 2020
Submitted by: dawittrock2231
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Near a floodlight on my deck.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: June 22, 2020
Coordinator notes: Adults of species in the genus Symmerista are believed to be indistinguishable, except by examination of the genitalia. Fortunately, males can be recognized, without dissection, by examining the 8th sternite. This is the hard cuticle on the ventral surface of the last segment of the abdomen. The technique is briefly explained in Wagner’s Caterpillar book (p 21), combine this with brushing the scales of the last sternite (8th). S. leucitys has a deep, narrow emargination, whereas in the other 2 eastern species the emargination is shallower and wider. https://bugguide.net/node/view/349
