Greya reticulata
Olle Pellmyr
Adult Characteristics
Wing expanse 9-15.5 mm. Forewing in female white to pale ochreous, heavily banded with brownish confluent spots, creating a checkerspot pattern. Male with same ground color, but heavily irrorated with brown, and obsolescent and indistinct banding. Some males are almost devoid of pattern uniformly (male) to yellowish white (female). Hindwing gray, often darker in the female.
Comparison with Similar Species
Both sexes resemble G. powelli but the latter is much smaller and has narrower forewings. They are currently not known to coexist. Because reticulata feeds on a tall host and powelli on a prostrate host, they would be likely to fly at different heights above the ground if found together. The species was originally placed in Prodoxus, and the female shows superficial resemblance with P. coloradensis. The presence of a pollex in Greya is sufficient to correctly place this species away from Prodoxus.
Host, Oviposition, and Larval Feeding Habits
Feeds on Osmorhiza chilensis (Apiaceae). The female cuts and oviposits into young fruits, and the larva feeds on the developing seeds for the first one or two instars. The life history of later stages is unknown.
Geographic Distribution
Known from the coastal range of California, ranging from the San Francisco Bay area in the north to the USA-Mexico border.
Habitat
In moist situations with Osmorhiza chilensis as understory in shrubby, well-shaded deciduous forest. Elevational range, 100-500 m.
References
Davis, D.R., O. Pellmyr & J.N. Thompson. 1992. Biology and systematics of Greya Busck and Tetragma n. gen. (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae). Smiths. Contrib. Zool. 524:1-88.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Greya reticulata |
|---|---|
| Location | Santa Clara Co., California, USA |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Sex | Male |
| Image Use |
 This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
|
| Copyright |
© 1996
|
| Scientific Name | Greya reticulata |
|---|---|
| Location | Santa Clara Co., California, USA |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Sex | Female |
| Image Use |
This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
|
| Copyright |
© 1996
|
About This Page
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
Page copyright © 1996
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Greya reticulata .
Authored by
Olle Pellmyr.
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Citing this page:
Pellmyr, Olle. 1996. Greya reticulata . Version 01 January 1996 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Greya_reticulata/12328/1996.01.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
