California Native Plant Society
in collaboration with East Bay Municipal Utility District
Butterflies and Moths Details
(All texts from May Chen's posts)
Moths
White Annaphila-
Annaphila diva (family Noctuidae)
White Annaphila, Annaphila diva (family Noctuidae) is a small (forewing length 10-11 mm) day-flying moth that flies in the spring, during April and May. The species is found in the western part of the Pacific Northwest, extending to southern California west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada. The moth is common and widely distributed in moist riparian habitats along creeks at low to high elevations in the Coast Range and along the west slope of the Cascades. Adults’ forewings are black with white markings. Their hindwing are white bordered with black. The larvae are food plant specialist feeding on Miner’s Lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata (family Portulacaceae).
Sulphur Tubic-
Esperia sulphurella (family Oecophoridae or concealer moth)
A Sulphur Tubic, Esperia sulphurella (family Oecophoridae, or concealer moths) is perched on a stem of California Buttercup in the shade. I am not used to seeing the moth in such low light. In sunshine, its scales are highly reflective and iridescent.
The species is a day-active moth native to Europe, but has been introduced in California. Adults have a body length of 6-8 mm. The moth has distinctive wing markings comprising a rich brown ground color flecked with bright yellow scales, many of which are grouped to form a triangle at the trailing edge of each forewing forming a diamond shape when viewed from above. The moth rests with its antennae held forward. Found in woodlands and gardens, they are on wing in spring. Larvae are black and feed on dead wood.