Bryolymnia viridata
Harvey, 1876
Bryolymnia viridata is a small noctuid to western California, ranging from Sonoma County to San Diego County. First described by Leon F. Harvey in 1876, it has a wingspan of approximately 27 mm. are active from late May through mid-October. The is placed in the tribe Elaphriini within the Noctuinae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Bryolymnia viridata: /ˌbraɪoʊˈlɪmniə ˌvɪrɪˈdɑtə/
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Identification
Small size (27 mm wingspan) and restricted western California distribution help distinguish this . The greenish coloration suggested by the name 'viridata' may separate it from . For definitive identification, reference to Lafontaine et al. (2010) revision of the is recommended, which describes diagnostic features separating B. viridata from three newly described congeneric species.
Images
Appearance
Small with wingspan of approximately 27 mm. The specific epithet 'viridata' (Latin for 'greenish') suggests green coloration, though detailed descriptions of markings are not provided in available sources.
Distribution
to western California, USA. Documented from Sonoma County (north of San Francisco) southward to San Diego County.
Seasonality
have been collected from late May to mid-October.
Similar Taxa
- Bryolymnia biformataDescribed as new in 2010 revision; previously confused with B. viridata. Separated by genitalic and external morphological characters.
- Bryolymnia curvitaDescribed as new in 2010 revision; previously confused with B. viridata. Distinguished by structural features detailed in Lafontaine et al. (2010).
- Bryolymnia marginataDescribed as new in 2010 revision; previously confused with B. viridata. Separated by specific morphological characters.
Misconceptions
The was historically confused with undescribed until the 2010 taxonomic revision, which split B. viridata into four distinct species based on genitalic and external .
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Jaspidea viridata by Harvey in 1876. Transferred to Bryolymnia Hampson. The 2010 revision by Lafontaine, Walsh, and Holland (ZooKeys 39:187-204) clarified boundaries and described three new species previously lumped under B. viridata.