Noctuidae - Acontiinae




Acontia coquillettii (Smith) REVISED COMBINATION

Acontia coquillettii Smith, 1900, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., 27:74.

Diagnosis: Acontia coquillettii is a close Californian relative of cretacea and is nearly identical in its markings. There are, however, two important differences between them. First the basic color of the forewig is white as in cretacea. However the white is tinged with yellow in coquillettii. Also the hindwing in both males and females is heavily suffused with gray. In general the markings of the forewing have a slightly suffused, smeared appearance to them. Wing expanse from base to apex in one selected individual 10 mm.

Distribution: (Based only on material in the USNM). This species appears to be localized in California, from the Bay Region in the north southward to the Mexican border.

Identification Quality: Good

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

Distribution map based on specimens in the USNM

Acontia coquillettii

The white of the forewing of coquillettii is lightly suffused with yellow giving it a slightly creamy appearance. In contrast the white of cretata is pure white. The hindwing of coquillettii is heavily suffused. In contrast the hindwing of cretata is white except along the outer margin of cretata in males. The valve of the male genitalia is longer and narrower in cretata than in coquillettii. There are no significant differences in female genitalia between the two species.

Similar Species

Acontia cretata