Leptarctia Explained

Leptarctia is a monotypic tiger moth genus in the family Erebidae described by Stretch in 1872. Its only species, Leptarctia californiae, was described by Francis Walker in 1855.^[1] It is found in western North America, from New Mexico and Colorado to California and north to British Columbia.^[2] The habitat consists of open forests, meadows and clearings in the mountains.

The length of the forewings is 12–17 mm.^[3]

Forms

There are two described forms:

• Leptarctia californiae f. decia Boisduval, 1869
• Leptarctia californiae f. dimidiata Stretch, 1872

Former species

• Leptarctia albiceps Rothschild, 1933

References

• Web site: Pitkin . Brian . Jenkins . Paul . amp . Search results Family: Arctiidae . Butterflies and Moths of the World . Natural History Museum, London.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Savela . Markku . Leptarctia Stretch, 1872 . Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms . September 27, 2019.
2. Web site: McLeod . Robin . May 4, 2019 . Species Leptarctia californiae - Hodges#8126 . BugGuide . September 27, 2019.
3. http://pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu/browse/family-erebidae/subfamily-arctiinae/tribe-arctiini/leptarctia/leptarctia-californiae/ "Leptarctia californiae (Walker, 1855)"