Afotella
Barnes & Benjamin, 1926
Species Guides
1Afotella is a in the Noctuidae, established by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1926. The genus contains a single , Afotella cylindrica, which was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. It is to western North America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Afotella: /ˌæfəˈtɛlə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Afotella cylindrica can be distinguished from similar western North American noctuids by its small size (wingspan ~25 mm) and geographic restriction to the western region of the continent. The is , so identification to genus level confirms identity.
Images
Appearance
The sole , Afotella cylindrica, has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. The specific epithet 'cylindrica' suggests a cylindrical body form. As a noctuid , it possesses the scaled wings and stout body typical of the .
Distribution
Western North America, ranging from Saskatchewan and Alberta south to California.
Similar Taxa
- Other small western Noctuidae generaSimilar size and geographic range; Afotella is distinguished by its status and specific morphological traits implied by the epithet 'cylindrica'
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was erected by Barnes and Benjamin in 1926, with Afotella cylindrica (Grote, 1880) as its type and only . The authorship year is sometimes cited as 1925 in some sources, though 1926 is the standard citation.