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 58 verified sightings
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
Observation date: Oct 07, 2022
Submitted by: EvSherr
Region: Lane County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Oct 08, 2022
Observation date: Sep 25, 2022
Submitted by: Blue Swallowtail
Region: Adams County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 28, 2022
Observation date: Jun 24, 2018
Submitted by: PONYRCR
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Sep 22, 2022
Observation date: Sep 08, 2022
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 21, 2022
Observation date: Jun 27, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Sierra County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Sep 20, 2022
Observation date: Sep 12, 2022
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Jefferson County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 13, 2022
Observation date: Aug 30, 2022
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 31, 2022
Observation date: Jul 23, 2022
Submitted by: Jacksenzig
Region: Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Jul 23, 2022
Observation date: Jun 27, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: May 24, 2022
Observation date: Jul 28, 2019
Submitted by: mcduck
Region: San Benito County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Mar 01, 2022
Observation date: May 02, 2016
Submitted by: Dabid Garcia
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Nov 09, 2021
Observation date: Jul 06, 2016
Submitted by: sarabseth
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Nov 07, 2021
Observation date: Jul 26, 2016
Submitted by: sarabseth
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Nov 06, 2021
Observation date: Jun 05, 2021
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 04, 2021
Observation date: Sep 14, 2019
Submitted by: mcduck
Region: San Benito County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Oct 28, 2021
Observation date: Jun 18, 2020
Submitted by: Brynne Bryan
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Oct 24, 2021
Observation date: Sep 26, 2021
Submitted by: WYbutterflyer1
Region: Laramie County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 28, 2021
Observation date: Sep 10, 2021
Submitted by: Blue Swallowtail
Region: Adams County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 13, 2021
Observation date: Sep 05, 2021
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 10, 2021
Observation date: Sep 05, 2021
Submitted by: heinert
Region: Burleigh County, North Dakota, United States
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Sep 06, 2021
Observation date: May 17, 2020
Submitted by: sandyleapt
Region: Multnomah County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 05, 2021
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