Azenia perflava (Harvey) 1875  NEW COMBINATION

Metoponia perflava Harvey, 1875, Bull. Buffalo Soc. Nat. Sci., 3: 11.

Diagnosis: Azenia perflava is a distinctive species. The forewing is bright yellow. A small brown blotch near the apex causes a falsely falcate appearance even though the outer margin of the forewing is evenly curved. Three main brown patches are typically present on the forewing, one near the costa on the postmedial line and a corresponding one on the inner margin. The third brown patch is on the costa at the medial line. Two brown linear patches are also found on the outer margin, one just below the apex of the forewing and another closer to the tornus. All other maculation is represented, if present, by small brown dots. The forewing postmedial line is a thick red-brown line ventrally, the line fading out toward the inner margin. The hindwing is white with a slight yellowish tinge. The postmedial line and discal dot are sometimes visible as grayish, linear patches. The antemedial and postmedial lines of the hindwing are much more pronounced ventrally than dorsally. The frontal process is essentially the same as in obtusa, but perhaps not as well developed. The male clasper is thicker and more capitate than in obtusa. Approximately twice as many spine-like vesica cornuti are found in perflava than in obtusa. The female ductus bursae is about three times longer than in obtusa. The mid region of the ductus is strongly sclerotized in contrast to the distal and proximal ends. The appendix bursae is absent as in obtusa.

Adults have been collected both in the spring and the fall indicating two separate broods.

Distribution: This species is known from central and western Texas. Azenia perflava is also known from southeastern Arizona and from the state of Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico. Two specimens labeled only Colorado may be mislabeled and are omitted from from the distribution map. Specimens from the Big Bend region of western Texas are slightly smaller and more washed out than their counterparts in central Texas. Females tend to larger and more strongly marked than males.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

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