Marimatha tripuncta
Möschler, 1890
Three-spotted Lemon Moth
Marimatha tripuncta is a small noctuid described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. It occurs in the Caribbean and southern Florida, with active from late April through mid-October. The belongs to the Acontiinae, a group of generally small, often yellowish moths. The "Three-spotted Lemon Moth" refers to the characteristic three dark spots on the pale yellow forewings.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Marimatha tripuncta: /ˌmæɹɪˈmæθə traɪˈpʌŋktə/
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Identification
Marimatha tripuncta can be distinguished from similar Marimatha by the presence of three distinct dark spots on the pale yellow forewings. The related species Marimatha nigrofimbria (Black-bordered Lemon ) has a prominent black border on the forewings rather than discrete spots. Marimatha quadrata has a more quadrate wing shape and different spotting pattern. M. tripuncta lacks the dark marginal band seen in M. nigrofimbria and has more rounded wing tips than M. quadrata. The species is smaller than most noctuine noctuids and has a relatively plain, pale ground color compared to the more patterned species in related .
Images
Distribution
Caribbean islands and southern Florida, United States.
Seasonality
are on wing from late April to mid-October.
Similar Taxa
- Marimatha nigrofimbriaSimilar pale yellow coloration but distinguished by prominent black marginal band on forewings rather than three discrete spots.
- Marimatha quadrataSimilar size and general appearance but has more quadrate (square-tipped) forewings and different spotting pattern.
More Details
Nomenclatural history
Originally described as Xanthoptera tripuncta Möschler, 1890, later transferred to Marimatha.