Tricholita notata (Strecker, 1898)
Marked Tricholita
NatureServe Global Rank: G5
Virginia State Rank: SH
VA DGIF Tier: None
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Marked Tricholita is a small/medium moth at about 26mm. The forewings are drab-brown colored with a purplish or orange hue. There are faint markings on the wings and bands of slightly different shades that run across from the leading to the trailing edge of the wing, the most prominent being a light band towards the outer edge of the wing. There is a white or yellowish peanut-shaped marking about 3/5 the distance from the base of the wing, closer to the leading edge. The hind wings are a somewhat uniform brownish-gray.
Similar species: The Signate Quaker Moth (Tricholita signata) is the most similar but can be differentiated by the more conspicuous markings on the front wing, the less drab tone, and by the infusion of brown into the white marking.
North American Range: Central United States including the Great Lake states, into Canada.
VA Observations by Locality: Bath
Flight season and broods: Primarily August and September with records in October and January.
Habitat and Food Plants: This species is associated with the prairie habitat. It may feed on Solidago rigida.
Behavior and Ecology: Presently undocumented
Population trend and potential threats: Presently unknown
Management practices: None yet
References: BugGuide. 2012. Tricholita notata. Accessed at http://bugguide.net/node/view/625848 on 18Dec2012.
Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University. Web application at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=10628 Accessed: 18Dec2012
Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University. Web application at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=10628 Accessed: 23Apr2013
NatureServe. 2012. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: October 1, 2012 ).