Noctuidae - Acontiinae

 

 

 

Tarache todii (Ferris and Lafontaine)

Acontia toddi Ferris and Lafontaine, 2009, Contributions to the Systematics of New World Macro-Moths. ZooKeys 9: 27-46. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.9.180.

Diagnosis: The basal half of the forewing is light yellow-brown in color, but the brown component is weaker and the area appears whiter and lighter than in the other species in the areli complex. In general this species is whiter and "cleaner" than the other members of the species complex. The basal and antemedial lines are vague, crenulated, double gray lines. The orbicular is a fine, usuallly broken, ovate circle. The reniform is ovate, defined by an outer black line, and filled with dull blue and brown scales. There is a black inner spot, but the spot is located on the distal margin of the reniform, not in the center. A small, light blue, short band accented with black of both sides is located just distal to the middle of the medial line. This blue band, however, is small and never distinct. The costal white patch longer (up and down) than wide (left to right). There is no distinct dark band behind the reniform, although a fine black line may be present. The male hindwing is light yellow-brown with a darker brown outer margin. The female hindwing is completely suffused with brown. Forewing length from base to apex 10-12 mm.

Distribution: Tarache toddi has a wide distribution in the western United States. On the whole, however, it has a range extending through the Great Basin region rather than the Rocky Mountain range of Tarache areli.

Adults have been collected from April to August.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Distribution map courtesy of C. Ferris and J. D. Lafontaine

 

Tarache toddi

Identifying the species of the areli species complex

Similar Species

Tarache areli

Tarache areloides

Tarache geminocula

Tarache albifusa