Schinia indiana (Phlox moth) - MNFI Rare Species Explorer

Schinia indiana

Phlox moth

Key Characteristics

Small, 1.3 inch (3.3 cm) wingspan. The forewing is deep, purplish red above and predominantly chocolate-brown beneath with a wine-red spot at the apex. The hind wing is dark chocolate-brown above; beneath it is wine-red on the other and anterior half and chocolate-brown on the posterior and inner half. Caterpillars have a dark head capsule and cream to pale greenish yellow body. As the caterpillars age they have an orange-fawn head capsule and grayish-green to bright green body suffused with reddish brown and marked with whitish gray lateral strips and a reddish brown mid-dorsal band highlighted by a greenish gray median line.

Status and Rank

State Status: E - Endangered (legally protected)
State Rank: S1S2 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from critically imperiled to imperiled
Global Rank: G2G4

Occurrences

County Name	Number of Occurrences	Year Last Observed
Montcalm	3	1990
Newaygo	1	1988

Updated 05/08/2013. Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

Associated with the habitat for Karner blue butterflies. Michigan sites are in an area that formerly was pine-oak barrens with associated prairie openings, but now has succeeded to closed oak woods in which most of the prairie-like openings are caused by disturbances such as utility right-of-ways, roads, trails, off road vehicle activities, and home sites.

Specific Habitat Needs

Host plant needed in Oak-pine barrens, Mesic sand prairie, Mesic prairie, Dry-mesic prairie, Dry sand prairie

Natural Community Types

Management

Management of the barrens and prairie landscape complex for high-quality prairie openings would benefit this species. Management units should be large enough to accommodate multiple patches of each habitat type and designed so that species can migrate from one patch to another as the habitat at a given site becomes unsuitable. Appropriately timed, prescribed burns could be an effective management tool for Phlox moth habitat. Protection of existing populations from collection and surveys to locate additional populations are necessary.

Active Period

Flight from fourth week of May to second week of June

Survey Methods

Adults are well camouflaged on the flowers of Phlox pilosa, where they spend much of their time. Their wings are slightly darker than fresh blossoms, more closely resembling a partially dried corolla. Visually inspecting phlox flowers is the best method of locating this moth.

Visual, aerial net
- Survey Period: From fourth week of May to second week of June
  - Time: Daytime

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/explorer [Accessed May 25, 2013]

More Information

See MNFI Species Abstract

References

Survey References

Martin, J.E.H. 1977. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada (Part 1): Collecting, preparing, and preserving insects, mites, and spiders. Publication 1643. Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa.

Technical References

Evers, D.C. 1994. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of Michigan. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 412pp.

Hardwick, D.F. 1970. The Genus Euxoa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in North America. I. Subgenera Orosagrotis, Longivesica, Chorizagrotis, Pleonectopoda, and Crassivesica. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 67:177pp.

Schweitzer, D. 1994b. Recovery goals and methods for Karner blue butterfly populations. Pages 185-193 in Andow, D.A., R. Baker and C.P. Lane, eds., Karner blue butterfly: a symbol of a vanishing landscape. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Minnesota, Miscellaneous Publication, Twin Cities 84-1994.