Lophocampa indistincta
Barnes & McDunnough, 1910
A tiger moth in the Erebidae, described in 1910. Males exhibit dark ocherous coloration with obscure wing markings and hyaline secondaries. Known exclusively from California's Channel Islands, making it a geographically restricted with a wingspan of approximately 43 mm.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lophocampa indistincta: //ˌloʊ.foʊˈkæm.pə ˌɪn.dɪˈstɪŋk.tə//
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Identification
Distinguished from other Lophocampa by the combination of dark ocherous ground color with highly obscure wing markings, hyaline hindwings with yellow tinge at anal angle, and the specific pattern of faint costal spots and broken brown lines on forewings. The Channel Islands distribution provides additional diagnostic context.
Appearance
Male: General color dark ocherous. Palpi, front and shaft light yellow. with indistinct darker shades. Forewings with very obscure markings: three light yellowish spots along , first two followed inwardly by minute similar spots; obscure spot just beyond with faint broken brown line proceeding to middle of inner margin; another faint line from M2 ending above inner margin in slightly lighter uniform spot; brown dentate submarginal line most prominent at apex. Hindwings hyaline (glass-like), tinged with yellow at anal angle. Underside hyaline; forewings broadly suffused with dark ochreous at apex and outer margin; costal margin of both wings yellowish, brown mark just beyond cell, incomplete submarginal row of spots of same color. Wingspan 43 mm.
Distribution
to California, restricted to the Channel Islands. No records from mainland California or elsewhere.
Similar Taxa
- Lophocampa maculataSimilar member with spotted pattern; L. indistincta differs in obscure (not distinct) markings and hyaline hindwings versus more patterned wings in L. maculata
- Lophocampa ingensCongeneric ; L. indistincta differs in smaller size (43 mm vs. larger), coloration, and highly restricted island distribution