Geina sheppardi

B. Landry, 1989
Sheppard's Plume Moth

Sort #: 751.1 | P3 #: 460063 | MPG #: 6091.1
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Larval feeding type: In the flowers
Larval substrate: Vitis spp. (Grape)
Phenology: Adult: 6/28 (1 record)

Comment: One specimen tentatively identified as this species due to the brown coloration, but its presence in MA needs confirmation. G. periscelidactylus and G. sheppardi cannot be reliably identified without dissection (although G. sheppardi is often darker). G. sheppardi larvae feed in grape flowers, whereas G. periscelidactylus is a leaf feeder. A third species, Sphenarches ontario is also a grape flower feeder and is similar to the Geina species. It can be distinguished by its smaller size and the presence of dark scales between the white spot in the middle of the forewing and the cleft.

Status in MA (automated assessment): Restricted distribution, rare
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 2015
Last Year Reported: 2015

Distribution by County: Hampshire
Number of Records: 1