Noctuidae - Psaphidinae - Nocloini

 

 

 

Lythrodes venatus Smith

Lythrodes venatus Smith, 1903, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., 29: 207.

Diagnosis: Lythrodes venatus is a larger and slightly duller version of radiatus. The distinguishing characters between these species are discussed under radiatus. This species has a strong tendency to become greasy.

Distribution: Lythrodes venatus is primarily known from the Big Bend region of western Texas. The species is also known from central New Mexico and Yavapai County in central-western Arizona. The strength of the reniform and orbicular marks varies from individual to individual. Females are slightly larger on average than males. Adults have been collected in August and September.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Lythrodes venatus

Lythrodes radiatus and venatus are very similar superficially. The best feature separating the two species is size; radiatus is consistently smaller than venatus. The average forewing length from base to apex of radiatus is 9.32 mm in males and 10.68 mm in females. The average forewing length for venatus is 12.41 mm in males and 12.77 mm in females. I have not seen any overlap in size, although the possibility cannot be ignored. There do not appear to be any full-proof differences in maculation between the two species. The red stripes of venatus tend to be broader and slightly duller and darker than in radiatus. The orbicular and reniform marks of venatus are usually (but not always) more conspicuous than those of radiatus. I have not found any consistent differences between these two species. The male clasper of venatus tends to be slightly larger than in radiatus, but this structure tends to be variable. The only consistent difference is in size, reflecting the size differences of the adults.

Similar Species

Lythrodes radiatus