Orgyia leucostigma sablensis

Orgyia leucostigma sablensis is a subspecies of Orgyia leucostigma found only on Sable Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The subspecies was first described by Kenneth Neil in 1979.

Orgyia leucostigma sablensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Erebidae
Subfamily:	Lymantriinae
Genus:	Orgyia
Species:	O. leucostigma
Subspecies:	O. l. sablensis
Trinomial name
Orgyia leucostigma sablensis (Neil, 1979)

Description

Physical

O. l. sablensis shares many common characteristics with its mainland counterpart, O. l. plagiata.[1] Males and females of O. l. sablensis share the same antennae, palpi, genitalia and vestiture as O. l. plagiata.[1] Males of the subspecies have a rusty brown coloured forewing and have marking similar to that O. l. plagiata but are generally less distinctive.[1] The grey colouring found on the median area of O. l. plagiata are generally absent in males on Sable Island, reduced to a small patch of colouring or absent altogether.[1] The discal dot for males of the subspecies is obscure and indistinct.[1] The undersides of both wings in males are a rusty brown colour, while the upper-sides are a solid rusty brown.[1] Females of the subspecies are a very light grey colour, and have small wing pads present.[1]

Behavior

Like O. l. plagiata, O. l. sablensis has a flight period that occurs from late July to mid-September.[1] The subspecies is a general feeder, and its larva has been found in blueberry, cranberry, bayberry and several species of sedges and grasses.[1]

See also

• Agrotis arenarius

References

1. Neil, Kenneth (1979). "A new subspecies of Orgyia leucostigma from Sable Island, NS" (PDF). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society. 33 (4): 245–247.