Orgyia leucostigma sablensis is a subspecies of Orgyia leucostigma, the white-marked tussock moth, found only on Sable Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The subspecies was first described by Kenneth Neil in 1979.
| 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[2]
| |
Description
editPhysical
editO. l. sablensis shares many common characteristics with its mainland counterpart, O. l. plagiata.[2] Males and females of O. l. sablensis share the same antennae, palpi, genitalia and vestiture as O. l. plagiata.[2] Males of the subspecies have a rusty brown coloured forewing and have marking similar to that O. l. plagiata but are generally less distinctive.[2] 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.[2] The discal dot for males of the subspecies is obscure and indistinct.[2] The undersides of both wings in males are a rusty brown colour, while the upper-sides are a solid rusty brown.[2] Females of the subspecies are a very light grey colour, and have small wing pads present.[2]
Behavior
editLike O. l. plagiata, O. l. sablensis has a flight period that occurs from late July to mid-September.[2] The subspecies is a general feeder, and its larva has been found in blueberry, cranberry, bayberry and several species of sedges and grasses.[2]
Conservation
editThe subspecies does not appear to face short-term threats and is currently common. However, it is threatened in the long term by sea level rise.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b NatureServe (31 May 2024). "Orgyia leucostigma sablensis". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Neil, Kenneth (1979). "A new subspecies of Orgyia leucostigma from Sable Island, NS" (PDF). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society. 33 (4): 245–247.