Noctuidae - Acontiinae

 

 

 

Therasea expolita Grote

Tarache expolita Grote, 1882, Papilio, 2:131.

Acontia embolima Druce, 1889, Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, 1:306, pl. 28, fig. 17.

Diagnosis: Tarache expolita is easily recognized. The predominant color of the forewing is gray-brown. However there is large white band along the costa and a large white patch in the lower half of the terminal area of the forewing. There is small, ovate patch at the base of the wing. The head is white and the thorax gray-brown. The hindwing is translucent yellow-brown. Forewing expanse from base to apex 10 mm.

Distribution: (Based only on specimens in the USNM) Tarache expolita has a wide distribution in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico. The species ranges from eastern Texas, westward through western Texas, most of Arizona and into southern California. The species occurs in Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas in Mexico.  Flight period March-May; July-Oct.

Identification Quality: Good

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Distribution map based on specimens in the USNM

Tarache expolita

Tarache expolita might be confused with the male of Tarache lucasi. However the white spot in the terminal area near the inner angle in lucasi has a brown spot within it. Within this brown spot are two black dashes. In addition the top of the thorax of lucasi is white, not brown.

Similar Species

Tarache lucasi