Marathyssa inficita Walker 1865

The three Alberta specimens were collected in mid June.

Widespread in eastern North America, west across southern Canada to southern BC. In Alberta inficita has been collected in the Milk, Oldman and South Saskatchewan River drainages.

A relatively small (2.5-2.8 cm. wingspan) long-winged moth. The forewings are blue-grey with dark streaking and maroon near the base and apex. The antemedian and postmedian lines are partially marked by doubled narrow dark lines, and a small black dot marks the reniform. The hindwings are overlain with dark maroon, particularly on the outer half, and there is a diffuse discal patch and a blackish patch at the anal margin. The fringe on both wings is grey broken by dark patches, giving the wings an uneven, angular appearance. The wings are folded up and held perpendicular to the body when at rest, and at such times they are reminiscent of large, dark plume-moths (Pterophoridae).

They occur in dry and shrubby grassland on valley slopes.

Poorly known, in Alberta apparently single-brooded and nocturnal. The three Alberta specimens were collected in mid June.

No Alberta hostplant data; elsewhere reported to feed on Staghorn sumac (Rhus hirta) and Poison ivy (Rhus radicans). In Alberta the likely host is poison ivy or possibly skunkbush (Rhus trilobata).

Marathyssa inficita, the dark marathyssa, is a moth in the family Euteliidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1865. It is found in North America.

The MONA or Hodges number for Marathyssa inficita is 8955.

Marathyssa inficita là một loài bướm đêm trong họ Noctuidae.