Faculta triangulella

(Busck, 1907)

Faculta triangulella is a small in the Gelechiidae, known from California and Arizona. The is characterized by distinctive triangular dark markings on the forewings. Its and remain poorly documented beyond basic morphological description.

Faculta triangulella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Faculta triangulella: //fəˈkʌltə ˌtraɪæŋɡjuˈlɛlə//

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Identification

Distinguished from other Faculta and similar small gelechiid moths by the pair of blackish triangular spots on the forewing —one medial, one terminal—with faint extensions to the . The roseate tinge to the forewings and heavily dark-scaled third provide additional diagnostic characters. The ochreous preceding the medial triangle are a subtle but useful field mark.

Images

Appearance

Small with wingspan of 12–13 mm. Forewings light fuscous, heavily overlaid with dark fuscous and with a roseate tinge. Two prominent blackish triangular spots: one centered on the middle of the with one point touching the fold, preceded basally by a few ochreous scales; another similar spot at the end of the cell. Edges of both spots faintly continued to the costal edge. third of wing heavily overlaid with blackish scales. Hindwings light silvery fuscous.

Distribution

Known from California and Arizona, United States. Specific associations within this range have not been documented.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The Faculta contains few described , and F. triangulella appears to be among the least known. No specimens have been recorded on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.