Heliothis phloxiphaga (Grote & Robinson, 1867)
Family: Noctuidae
Subfamily: Heliothentinae
Identification: A medium-sized light yellow-brown or tan moth with darker markings. There is a broad darker brown median band crossing the forewing, which angles sharply inward at the lower end of the large blackish reniform, and a dark triangular patch near the apex. The hindwing is dirty white or very pale buff with a large dark thick discal crescent and a broad black terminal band with a pale, split spot at the anal angle. The very similar H. acesias has a yellowish (not buff) hindwing, less contrast on the forewing, and the forewing median band is not as sharply angled. There are also genitalic differences (see Hardwick, 1994). H. ononis is significantly smaller, less yellow and lacks most of the fine spotting on the forewing found in phloxiphagus. H. oregonica is smaller and darker.
Wing Span: 3.3-3.7cm
Life History: Adults are reported to be both nocturnal and diurnal in activity, and while most often are taken at lights, may be found feeding and ovipositing during the day. Like other species of the genus, the larvae feed on the flowering parts and seeds of the host.
Flight: May through September
Caterpillar Hosts:
Adult Food:
Habitat: Wooded edges, meadows, and other open areas
Range: Across the US and S. Canada
Conservation:
NCGR:
Management Needs:
Comments:
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 31 verified sightings
Observation date: May 20, 2020
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 24, 2020
Observation date: Aug 13, 2019
Submitted by: Julie Lyke
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Apr 18, 2020
Observation date: Sep 24, 2019
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 26, 2019
Observation date: Sep 18, 2018
Submitted by: Quivira NWR
Region: Stafford County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 06, 2019
Observation date: Sep 16, 2018
Submitted by: I Fox
Region: Reno County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 27, 2018
Observation date: Aug 24, 2018
Submitted by: Judeen
Region: Ada County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 31, 2018
Observation date: Aug 14, 2018
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 16, 2018
Observation date: Sep 08, 2017
Submitted by: satchmo0802
Region: Jackson County, South Dakota, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 13, 2017
Observation date: Jul 22, 2017
Submitted by: sseagrave
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 24, 2017
Observation date: Aug 04, 2016
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Whitman County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 24, 2016
Observation date: May 03, 2015
Submitted by: N_Santill
Region: Missoula County, Montana, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Mar 10, 2016
Observation date: Sep 30, 2011
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Nov 13, 2015
Observation date: Oct 16, 2015
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Nov 13, 2015
Observation date: Jul 16, 1999
Submitted by: AndrewPigniolo
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Nov 03, 2015
Observation date: Apr 19, 2015
Submitted by: Samuel Grijalva
Region: Solano County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Apr 20, 2015
Observation date: May 08, 2014
Submitted by: Brittanie
Region: New York County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jan 13, 2015
Observation date: Jun 10, 2014
Submitted by: coreyk
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Dec 07, 2014
Observation date: Jun 02, 2014
Submitted by: Tom Middagh
Region: Nobles County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 11, 2014
Observation date: May 25, 2014
Submitted by: Samuel Grijalva
Region: Solano County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: May 26, 2014
Observation date: May 25, 2014
Submitted by: Samuel Grijalva
Region: Solano County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: May 26, 2014
Observation date: Aug 05, 2013
Submitted by: stonehollow
Region: Wright County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Sep 18, 2013
Observation date: Aug 12, 2012
Submitted by: Chip Krilowicz
Region: Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: H.D. McGuinness
Verified date: Oct 03, 2012
Observation date: Aug 02, 2012
Submitted by: Chip Krilowicz
Region: Salem County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: H.D. McGuinness
Verified date: Sep 19, 2012
Observation date: Sep 27, 2011
Submitted by: COA1955
Region: Morgan County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Sep 07, 2012
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