Orthosia revicta, commonly known as the subdued Quaker or rusty whitesided caterpillar, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by entomologist Herbert Knowles Morrison in 1876.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Noctuoidea
- Family: Noctuidae
- Genus: Orthosia
- Species: O. revicta
The MONA or Hodges number assigned to this species is 10490, a cataloguing system used for North American moths.
Description
Orthosia revicta is a medium‑sized moth with a forewing length of approximately 16–19 mm. Adults display a coloration that ranges from light to medium‑dark blue‑gray to reddish‑brown, often with distinctive light yellow and red‑brown lines and spots. The ground color can vary geographically, being brighter blue‑gray in western parts of its range and duller gray toward the east. The species’ larvae are referred to as “rusty whitesided caterpillars” due to their characteristic coloration.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is found throughout North America, with records spanning the United States and Canada. It inhabits forested regions where host plants for the larvae are available. Adults are typically active in the spring, emerging to mate and lay eggs.
Ecology
As a cutworm, the larval stage feeds on a variety of herbaceous plants, occasionally causing minor agricultural damage. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light sources, a common trait among many noctuid moths.
References
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) entry for Orthosia revicta
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) species record
- BugGuide.net species information page
- North American Moth Photographers Group, Hodges number 10490
This entry is based on publicly available taxonomic and ecological information from reputable databases and the Wikipedia article on Orthosia revicta.
