Hillia iris, commonly known as the iris rover, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae (the cutworm or dart moth family), subfamily Noctuinae. It was first described by Swedish entomologist Johan Wilhelm Zetterstedt in 1839.
Taxonomy and Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Subfamily: Noctuinae
- Tribe: Xylenini
- Genus: Hillia
- Species: H. iris
The species bears the MONA or Hodges number 9967 in the North American moth numbering system.
Physical Description
Hillia iris is a small to medium-sized moth with a forewing length of 15–16 mm. Its forewings are gray to tan in ground color, often tinged with olive or purplish hues. Key identifying features include:
- A dark costa and cell region, ranging from darker gray to gray-brown.
- Incomplete black outlines around the forewing spots (orbicular and reniform spots), which are filled with light tan.
- A distinct black shade preceding the posterior subterminal line, particularly near the anal angle.
- A pale tan subterminal line, slightly offset below the apex.
- A tan hindwing with variable brown to gray suffusion, darkest in the submarginal region.
A darker form of the species exists, characterized by dark gray-brown coloration with light filling of the reniform spot and a black shade near the anal angle. The male antenna is beaded.
Distribution
Hillia iris is a Holarctic species found across the northern hemisphere. Its known range includes:
- North America: Widespread across northern portions of the continent, ranging south to British Columbia, Alberta, southern Wyoming, and the Great Lakes region, as well as New England and northern New York. Confirmed records exist from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada.
- Pacific Northwest: Found in south-central British Columbia, with a single record from extreme southeastern Idaho near Montpelier.
- Scandinavia: Documented in Norway.
Habitat and Behavior
This species inhabits cool, wet forest and bog habitats across Canada and other portions of its range. Adults fly during late summer and early fall, typically in late August and September. The moth is nocturnal and is attracted to lights.
Life History
No definitive information is currently available regarding the larval foodplants of this species. It is hypothesized that larvae most likely feed on willows (Salix spp.) in the family Salicaceae, though this has not been confirmed.
Economic Importance
This species has no documented economic significance.
Sources
Information on this species is documented by the Wikipedia article on Hillia iris, the Pacific Northwest Moths database (moths.pnwinsects.org), and the Moth Photographers Group (mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu), among other entomological references.
