Orgyia leucostigma sablensis
| Orgyia leucostigma sablensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Erebidae |
| Genus: | Orgyia |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | O. l. sablensis
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Orgyia leucostigma sablensis (Neil, 1979)
| |
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.
Description[edit]
Physical[edit]
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[edit]
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]