Diastema cnossia (Druce) 1889

Pseudina cnossia Druce, 1889, Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, 1:311, pl. 28, fig. 28.

Diagnosis: Diastema cnossia is a small species (forewing expanse from base to apex about 10 mm.). The forewing is gray with strong white shades. The most distinctive feature is a curved white line running from the bottom of the orbicular mark to the lower third of the postmedial line. The orbicular mark and the upper third of the antemedial line are strongly shaded with white. There is a white streak from the costa to the top of the reniform mark and the whole costal region from this mark to the subterminal line forms a vague whitish triangle. The subterminal line is dark gray-brown and a similarly colord shade extends from postmedial line near the bottom of the reniform mark to the subterminal line just before the costa. The terminal line is a strong white line with a series of exterior small black dots. The male and female genitalia of cnossia are not as strongly modified as in tigris. In particular the uncus is elongate and narrow, and there is not flat plate in the anal tube. In the female genitalia the ostium is membranous and not a sclerotized cylinder.

Distribution: This species is primarily Mexican, but occurs in southern Texas and has been taken as far south as El Salvador. The species is not variable.

In Texas adults have been collected in April and May and then later from September to December.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: There is a specimen in the USNM reared from Lantana urticifolia (Verbenaceae).

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