Noctuidae - Acontiinae

 

 

 

Tarache cora Barnes and McDunnough

Tarache cora Barnes and McDunnough, 1918, Contr. Nat. Hist. Lepid. N. Amer., 4(2):115, pl. 17, figs. 19,20.

Diagnosis: The forewings of Tarache cora are slightly more elongate than in most species of the genus. The forewing pattern is geometrical with a combination of horizontal and diagonal markings. The bottom of the forewing is a broad, horizontal, brown band about four-fifths of the length of the wing before being joined by a similarly colored bar stretching diagonally from the apex. At the top of this large, horizontal, brown band is a thin, horizontal, darker brown line. The costal area of the forewing is white. There are two yellow-green stripes running diagonally. One stripe is weaker and reaches the area of the invisible orbicular. The second stripe is stronger and slants from the costa to behind the reniform. The subterminal area is white with a weak yellow-green terminal line. The fringe is largely white, but with a square brown spot just below the apex.  Forewing expanse from base to apex 11 mm. in one selected specimen.

Distribution: (Based only on material in the USNM). Tarache cora is a rare species known only from southern Arizona and the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi.  Flight period July to August.

Identification Quality: Good

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Tarache cora

Tarache expolita is similar in general maculation. However its overall appearance is much crisper. There is a distinctive white, oval patch near the base of the wing and the yellow-green stripes running from the costa to the vicinity of the orbicular and reniform are much weaker. Finally the white patch at the outer margin of the forewing is much better defined.

Similar Species

Tarache expolita