Dysschema thetis, the northern giant flag moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Johann Christoph Friedrich Klug in 1836. It is found from the south-western United States to north-western Mexico.[1]

Dysschema thetis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Dysschema
Species:
D. thetis
Binomial name
Dysschema thetis
(Klug, 1836)
Synonyms
  • Euprepia thetis Klug, 1836
  • Pericopis thetis
  • Daritis thetis var. howardi Edwards, 1887
  • Dysschema howardi

The wingspan is 85–95 mm.[2]

The larvae feed on Asteraceae species.[3]

Taxonomy

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Dysschema thetis and Dysschema mariamne have historically been regarded as synonyms; however, the lectotype of thetis belongs to the same population historically known as D. howardi, therefore making these two synonyms, while mariamne is the correct name for the more southern species.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Savela, Markku. "Dysschema thetis (Klug, 1836)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  2. ^ "930358.00 – 8040 – Dysschema howardi – Northern Giant Flag Moth – (Edwards, 1886)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Balaban, John and Jane (November 4, 2015). "Species Dysschema howardi - Northern Giant Flag Moth - Hodges#8040". BugGuide. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Becker, Vitor O. (September 15, 2013). "Taxonomic changes in the Neotropical Pericopina and Ctenuchina moths (Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini), with description of new taxa" (PDF). The Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera. 46: 53–66. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2013.