Polychrysia esmeralda

Polychrysia esmeralda, the delphinium leaftier, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was originally described by Charles Oberthür in 1880. It is found in Asia and in North America. The larvae feed on monkshood and larkspur or delphinium. Adults are reported to feed on the nectar of fireweed.

Description

Eggs are yellow. The bright green larvae move in a looper-fashion as do most Plusiinae. When the larva is fully grown it ties leaves together with silk, and within spins a gold-colored cocoon. Wings of adults have a shining golden color. Adults look similar to Polychrysia moneta, but the upperside of the wings is paler in P. moneta, and the "curved extrabasal line, below the median vein of the forewings", is simple in P. esmeralda and double in P. moneta.