Noctuidae - Acontiinae

 

 

 

Ponometia mcdunnoughi (Barnes and Benjamin)

Graeperia mcdunnoughi Barnes and Benjamin, 1923, Contr. Nat. Hist. Lepid. N. Amer., 5(2):85.

Diagnosis: Ponometia mcdunnoughi is a poorly marked, but distinctive, species. The forewing is a smooth straw yellow. The subterminal area is suffused with dull white and light gray and bordered outwardly with a weak set of dark dots. Most other markings are weak to absent. The hindwing is white suffused with light gray-brown. Wing expanse from base to apex in one selected individual 11 mm.

Distribution: (Based only on specimens in the USNM). Ponometia mcdunnoughi is known only from southern California.

Identification Quality: Good

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Distribution map based on specimens in the USNM

Ponometia mcdunnoughi

Ponometia mcdunnoughi might be confused with another yellowish species, Ponometia pulchra. Ponometia pulchra lacks the dull white and light gray suffusion in the forewing subterminal region. The yellow of pulchra is brighter than that of mcdunnoughi. In addition pulchra has two distinct brown patches in the forewing fringe. This fringe patches are absent in both mcdunnoughi and albitermen.

Similar Species

Ponometia pulchra