Noctuidae - Acontiinae

 

 

 

Ponometia phecolisca (Druce)

Acontia phecolisca Druce, 1889, Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, 1:306, pl. 28, fig. 16.

Diagnosis: Ponometia phecolisca looks like a small species of Tarache with a combination of a pure white background color and a variety of brown and gray forewing markings. However this is a much smaller species with a wing expanse from base to forewing apex of less than 10 mm. In contrast similar Tarache species all have wing expanses greater than 10 mm. The forewing is pure white. The base half of the forewing is almost all white, although there are scattered gray and black markings along the basal and antemedial lines. The orbicular is a small, minute black spot. The reniform is circular, usually with a dark spot off-center in the ring. The postmedial line is a white band stretching from the inner margin to the bottom of the reniform. The band consists of a brown band on the inside and a gray band on the outside. A black-blue spot is located behind the reniform. The terminal region and fring is mostly dark gray, but with a white patch in the center of the outer margin. The hindwing is white with a thin, dull brown outer margin. Wing length from base to apex in one selected individual 9 mm.

Distribution: (Based only on specimens in the USNM). Ponometia phecolisca has a wide distribution. In the United States the species occurs in the southwest from eastern Texas in the east to most of Arizona in the west. The distribution stretches southward throughout Mexico and Central America. The species has also been collected in northern Venezuela and Cuba.

Identification Quality: Good, although the identity of the Venezuelan and Cuban specimens needs to be verified.

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Distribution map based on specimens in the USNM

 

Ponometia phecolisca

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