Drasteria parallela

Crabo & Mustelin, 2013

Drasteria parallela is a noctuid in the Erebidae, described in 2013 by Crabo and Mustelin. The is to the Pacific Northwest and northern California, restricted to middle-elevation forest on exposed ridges. are active in July and exhibit distinctive forewing patterns with parallel lines across a pale medial area, which inspired the species name.

Drasteria parallela by (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Anderson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Drasteria parallela male by Crabo LG, Davis M, Hammond P, Mustelin T, Shepard J. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Drasteria parallela: //dræsˈtɛɹiə pəˈɹælɛlə//

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Identification

Distinguished from by parallel lines across the pale medial area of the forewing, a trait referenced in both the name and etymology. The combination of dark brown basal and subterminal forewing areas with light tan medial band, plus the dull orange hindwing with gray basal suffusion, separates it from related species Drasteria divergens and Drasteria convergens.

Images

Habitat

Exposed ridges in forests at middle elevations

Distribution

Cascade Mountains of Washington; Klamath and Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon; northern Sierra Nevada in California

Seasonality

on wing in July

Similar Taxa

Drasteria divergensRelated with geometry-referenced name; D. parallela named to perpetuate this naming pattern
Drasteria convergensRelated with geometry-referenced name; D. parallela named to perpetuate this naming pattern
Drasteria mirifica with similar startle defense using brightly-colored hindwings, though D. parallela's specific defense unconfirmed

More Details

Etymology

The specific epithet 'parallela' refers to the parallel lines across the pale medial area of the forewing, continuing the geometric naming convention established by related Drasteria divergens and Drasteria convergens