Cosmopterix dapifera
Hodges, 1962
Cosmopterix dapifera is a small in the Cosmopterigidae, described by Hodges in 1962. It exhibits highly distinctive wing patterning with metallic golden spots and white transverse lines on greyish-brown forewings. The has a disjunct distribution spanning the southeastern United States, Cuba, and eastern Brazil. have been collected across multiple months, indicating a multivoltine .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cosmopterix dapifera: /kɔzˈmɒptərɪks dæˈpɪfərə/
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Identification
Distinguished from by the combination of: four white lines in the forewing basal area (subcostal, medial, , ); yellow transverse fascia with narrow basal protrusion and broad prolongation; two tubercular pale golden metallic spots at the inner edge of the transverse fascia (subcostal and subdorsal), with the subcostal spot bearing a patch of blackish on the outside; and two additional tubercular pale golden spots at two-thirds of the transverse fascia (costal and dorsal). The complex white and dark brown segmental patterning of the is also diagnostic. The white apical line on the forewing is broad and originates from the middle of the prolongation of the transverse fascia.
Appearance
Very small with forewing length 3.6–3.8 mm. Forewings shining greyish-brown with reddish gloss, marked by four white lines in the basal area: a subcostal from base to one-third, a medial from base extending beyond the subcostal, a from one-quarter to near the transverse fascia, and a from base to or beyond the start of the subdorsal. A yellow transverse fascia beyond the middle features a narrow basal protrusion and broad prolongation, bordered at the inner edge by two tubercular pale golden metallic subcostal and subdorsal spots. Two additional tubercular pale golden costal and dorsal spots occur at two-thirds of the transverse fascia. A broad shining white apical line extends from the middle of the prolongation. Hindwings brownish-grey. with shining ochreous-white with greenish reflection; vertex and neck tufts greyish-brown with greenish and reddish gloss, lined white medially and laterally. dark brown with complex white segmental patterning.
Distribution
United States: Tennessee, northwestern Arkansas, south to central Florida and south-central Arizona. Cuba. Brazil: Bahia.
Seasonality
collected July to September and January, indicating multivoltine with more than one per year.
Similar Taxa
- Cosmopterix spp.Other in the share the general body plan and metallic spotting pattern, but differ in the specific configuration, number, and arrangement of white lines in the basal area, the shape of the transverse fascia, and the number and position of metallic spots. Detailed examination of wing pattern elements is required for definitive identification.
More Details
Type locality and description
Described by Ronald B. Hodges in 1962 based on specimens from the United States. The specific epithet 'dapifera' is derived from Latin. The is one of approximately 80 described species in the Cosmopterix, a group of minute characterized by elaborate wing patterns with metallic markings.