Hypoprepia cadaverosa
Strecker, 1878
Cadaver Lichen Moth
Hypoprepia cadaverosa is a small in the Erebidae, described by Herman Strecker in 1878. It is known from scattered localities in the western and south-central United States, with records from Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, and South Carolina. are active from May to August and have distinctive pale ochreous marked with slate-colored .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hypoprepia cadaverosa: /haɪpəʊˈprɛpiə kəˌdævəˈrəʊsə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
The combination of small size (24 mm wingspan), pale ochreous with three distinct slate-colored on the , and slate on the distinguishes this . It may be confused with other Hypoprepia species, but the specific banding pattern and coloration are diagnostic. The disjunct distribution pattern (western US plus South Carolina) is notable.
Images
Appearance
A small with wingspan approximately 24 mm. are pale ochreous with three slate-colored transverse . are ochreous, somewhat paler than forewings, with the slate-colored. Overall coloration is muted and lichen-like.
Distribution
Recorded from the United States: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, and South Carolina. The distribution is notably disjunct, with most records from southwestern and Rocky Mountain states plus an isolated eastern record from South Carolina.
Seasonality
are on from May to August, with peak activity during summer months.
Similar Taxa
- Hypoprepia fucosaCongeneric with similar overall appearance; distinguished by differences in banding pattern and coloration details
More Details
Taxonomic history
Originally described in 1878 by Herman Strecker. The specific epithet 'cadaverosa' refers to the pale, corpse-like coloration. Classified in Arctiinae (), tribe Lithosiini (lichen ), reflecting its lichen-mimicking appearance.
Distribution anomaly
The South Carolina record is geographically isolated from the main western range. This may represent a genuine disjunct , a misidentification, or a vagrant occurrence; verification of this eastern record may be warranted.