Cosmopterix quadrilineella
Chambers, 1878
Cosmopterix quadrilineella is a small in the Cosmopterigidae, first described by Chambers in 1878. The is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with multiple white lines and metallic spots on bronze-brown forewings. have a forewing length of approximately 4.2 mm. It is known from several southwestern and south-central U.S. states.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cosmopterix quadrilineella: /kɒzmɒptərɪks kwɒdrɪlaɪniˈɛlə/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Cosmopterix by the combination of five white lines in the forewing basal area (costal, subcostal, medial, , and ), the yellow transverse fascia with wide protrusion, and the specific arrangement of tubercular pale golden metallic spots: a subcostal spot at the inner edge and paired costal and dorsal spots at the outer edge, with the dorsal spot twice as large as the costal. The annulate pattern of fourteen segments with alternating white and dark brown bands is also diagnostic.
Appearance
Small with forewing length 4.2 mm. : shining ochreous-white with greenish and reddish reflections; vertex and neck tufts shining bronze brown with reddish reflection, lined white laterally and medially; collar bronze brown. Labial palpus with first segment very short and white, second segment greyish brown with white longitudinal lines, third segment white with dark brown lateral lines. Scape dark brown dorsally with white and lines, white ventrally. shining dark brown with white line from base to before one-half, followed by annulate pattern of alternating white and dark brown segments toward apex. and tegulae shining bronze brown with reddish gloss; thorax with white line, tegulae lined white inwardly. Legs greyish brown with extensive white markings on tibiae and . Forewing shining bronze brown with reddish gloss, featuring five white lines in basal area, yellow transverse fascia beyond middle with protrusion, bordered by tubercular pale golden metallic spots, and broad white costal streak. Hindwing shining greyish white, darker at and dorsum. dorsally pale brownish yellow, ventrally shining white.
Distribution
United States: Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, and California.
Seasonality
active from May to October.
Similar Taxa
- Cosmopterix speciesOther Cosmopterix share the general body plan and metallic coloration, but differ in the number, arrangement, and color of forewing lines and spots; C. quadrilineella is specifically characterized by its five basal white lines and yellow transverse fascia with paired metallic spots of unequal size.