Protorthodes melanopis (Hampson, 1905)

Lafontaine, J. Donald, Walsh, J. Bruce & Ferris, Clifford D., 2014, A revision of the genus Protorthodes McDunnough with descriptions of a new genus and four new species (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Eriopygini), ZooKeys 421, pp. 139-179 : 148

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Protorthodes melanopis (Hampson, 1905) Figs 25, 26, 62, 80; Map 7

Eriopyga melanopis Hampson, 1905: 299.

Type material.

Eriopyga melanopis : syntypes 4 ♂, 1 ♀, BMNH, examined. Type locality: Arizona, Maricopa Co., Phoenix.

Diagnosis.

Protorthodes melanopis is most easily recognized by the pale gray-brown forewing ground color, which emphasizes the contrast between the reniform spot, orbicular spot, and the ground color. The pale hindwings of the males contrast with the forewings. Forewing length varies from 11 to 14 mm. In males the hindwing is white and translucent, with some fuscous shading on the veins and wing margin; in females the hindwing is covered with a fuscous sheen, darker on the veins and wing margin. The antennal pectinations and wing size are the same as in Protorthodes oviduca . Structurally, the species differs from Protorthodes oviduca by the vesica character given in the key. The coil in the vesica in Protorthodes melanopis is mesial rather than basal, and the dorsal lobe on the sacculus tapers to a pointed process, whereas the dorsal lobe of the sacculus is rounded in Protorthodes oviduca and Protorthodes orobia .

Distribution and biology.

Protorthodes melanopis occurs across the southern United States from western Texas to southern California. Its range extends as far north as southern Utah and as far south as northern Mexico. Adults were collected from late February to early May and again from mid-August to late September. The larva was described by Godfrey (1972).