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:
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 79 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 03, 2024
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 04, 2024
Observation date: May 20, 2024
Submitted by: one72guy
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 08, 2024
Observation date: May 15, 2024
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: White Pine County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 05, 2024
Observation date: May 28, 2024
Submitted by: mbfurr
Region: Harney County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 28, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2022
Submitted by: kidsiavd
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Dec 13, 2023
Observation date: Sep 09, 2023
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Sep 30, 2023
Observation date: Aug 20, 2023
Submitted by: Tuesday
Region: Asotin County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 10, 2023
Observation date: Aug 23, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Amador County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Sep 06, 2023
Observation date: Aug 15, 2023
Submitted by: chherrmann
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 29, 2023
Observation date: Aug 27, 2023
Submitted by: getherington
Region: Putnam County, New York, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 27, 2023
Observation date: May 28, 2019
Submitted by: klebo
Region: Quay County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 24, 2023
Observation date: Aug 07, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Sep 05, 2021
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 11, 2023
Observation date: Sep 05, 2021
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 11, 2023
Observation date: Jul 25, 2023
Submitted by: cklindsey
Region: Wallowa County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 10, 2023
Observation date: Jul 26, 2023
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jul 23, 2023
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jul 22, 2023
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jul 17, 2023
Submitted by: dfagan746
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 19, 2023
Observation date: May 18, 2023
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 24, 2023
Observation date: Aug 06, 2021
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Jun 04, 2023
Observation date: Sep 16, 2021
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: May 18, 2023
Observation date: Oct 01, 2017
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Nov 09, 2022
Observation date: Sep 23, 2022
Submitted by: WYbutterflyer1
Region: Laramie County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Oct 12, 2022
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