Egira vanduzeei (Barnes & Benjamin, 1926)
93-2790
CA : Monterey Co.
UC Berkeley Big Cr Reserve., 20 ft
36.1, -121.6
February 02, 1994, Crabo, Powell & Robertson.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Elevation (ft)
Identification
Adults
Egira vanduzeei is a rarely collected medium-sized (FW length 16 - 18 mm) pale gray moth that flies on the southern Oregon coast during early spring. The forewing is relatively elongate with a long, black basal dash and a long but slightly rounded apex. The color is uniform pale silvery gray with slightly darker veins. A long black basal dash is present, and several shorter black dashes are present opposite the cell and near the anal angle at the outer margin. A black dash-like mark is made by the posterior walls of the orbicular and reniform spots; the rest of these spots are barely visible light gray. The thin black outline of the claviform spot is also evident, but the transverse lines are completely absent. The fringe is gray. The hindwing is white with thin gray veins, a diffuse round discal spot, and a slightly uneven terminal line. The hindwing fringe is white. The head and thorax are light gray, with a V-shaped black transverse line near the edge of the collar. The surface of the eye is hairy. The male antenna is asymmetric, pectinate anteriorly and serrate posteriorly.
This species can be told from all other spring-flying moths in our area by the gray color, pattern of black lines and dashes, and complete absence of transverse lines. It should only be expected on the immediate Pacific Coast.
Habitat
This species is rare and narrowly endemic to forests and scrublands along the Pacific coast. In the Pacific Northwest, it is only known from coastal rainforests.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Egira vanduzeei has been found on the Pacific Coast in Curry County in southern Oregon in the Pacific Northwest.
Global
This is an exclusively coastal species. It is found from our area to the central California Coast.
Life History
Larvae
No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants of this species, but it probably feeds on some type of hardwood based upon closely related species.
Adults
The adults fly in early spring. The single Oregon record was taken in mid-March. They are nocturnal and come to lights.
Economic Importance
None.
