Polychrysia esmeralda

Delphinium leaftier
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Polychrysia
Species:
P. esmeralda
Binomial name
Polychrysia esmeralda
(Oberthür, 1880)
Synonyms
  • Plusia moneta var. esmeralda Oberthür, 1880
  • Plusia esmeralda
  • Deva trabea Smith, 1895

Polychrysia esmeralda, the delphinium leaftier (from Ancient Greek πολύς [polus] = "many", and χρυσός [khrusos] = "gold"), is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was originally described by Charles Oberthür in 1880.[1] It is found in Asia (eastern Siberia) and in North America (Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). The larvae feed on monkshood (Aconitum species) and larkspur or delphinium (Delphinium species). Adults are reported to feed on the nectar of fireweed (Chamerion species).[2]

  1. ^ Oberthür, C. (1880). Études d'Entomologie. Faunes Entomologiques. Description d'insectes nouveaux ou peu connus. V. Faune des Lépidoptères de l'île Askold. Première partie. p. 85.
  2. ^ Anweiler, G. G. & Robinson, E. "Species Details Polychrysia esmeralda". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 14, 2020.