Metalectra quadrisignata
Walker, 1858
Four-spotted Fungus Moth
Metalectra quadrisignata, commonly known as the four-spotted fungus , is a of moth in the Erebidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1858. The species is characterized by a wingspan of approximately 25 mm and is assigned Hodges number 8500. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Metalectra quadrisignata: /mɛtəˈlɛktrə kwɒdrɪsɪɡˈnɑːtə/
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Identification
Can be distinguished from related Metalectra by the four-spotted wing pattern referenced in its name. The Hodges number 8500 provides a standardized reference for North American lepidopterists. Separation from similar boletobiine requires examination of genitalia or detailed wing pattern analysis.
Images
Distribution
Recorded from 25 jurisdictions across North America: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Quebec, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Additional records from Manitoba (Canada) and Vermont (USA) per GBIF.
Similar Taxa
- Other Metalectra species Metalectra contains multiple similar small in the Boletobiinae; precise identification requires examination of wing pattern details and genitalia.
More Details
Nomenclature
Originally described as quadrisignata by Walker in 1858; later transferred to Metalectra. Basionym preserved in taxonomic databases.
Taxonomic reference
Assigned MONA/Hodges number 8500 in the North American numbering system.