reticulata

G. reticulata (Riley)

Adult Characteristics

Wing expanse 9-15.5 mm. Forewing in female white to pale ochreous, heavily banded with brownish confluent spots, creating a checkerspot pattern. Male with same ground color, but heavily irrorated with brown, and obsolescent and indistinct banding. Some males are almost devoid of pattern uniformly (male) to yellowish white (female). Hindwing gray, often darker in the female.

Comparison with similar species

Both sexes resemble G. powelli but the latter is much smaller and has narrower forewings. They are currently not known to coexist. Because reticulata feeds on a tall host and powelli on a prostrate host, they would be likely to fly at different heights above the ground if found together. The species was originally placed in Prodoxus, and the female shows superficial resemblance with P. coloradensis. The presence of a pollex in Greya is sufficient to correctly place this species away from Prodoxus.

Host, oviposition, and larval feeding habits

Feeds on Osmorhiza chilensis (Apiaceae). The female cuts and oviposits into young fruits, and the larva feeds on the developing seeds for the first one or two instars. The life history of later stages is unknown.

Geographic distribution

Known from the coastal range of California, ranging from the San Francisco Bay area in the north to the USA-Mexico border.

Habitat

In moist situations with Osmorhiza chilensis as understory in shrubby, well-shaded deciduous forest. Elevational range, 100-500 m.

References

Davis, D.R., O. Pellmyr & J.N. Thompson. 1992. Biology and systematics 
          of Greya Busck and Tetragma n. gen. (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae). 
          Smiths. Contrib. Zool. 524:1-88.

Lectotype in USNM.

About this page

Olle Pellmyr
E-mail: pellmyr@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu.
Dept of Biology, Vanderbilt University, Box 1812-B Nashville, TN 37235, USA

Title illustrations: Male and female from Santa Clara Co., California.