Ufeus felsensteini

Distinguished from other Ufeus species by the combination of reddish brown forewings with obscure patterning and translucent white hindwings with pearly-pink sheen. The specific geographic restriction to the Santa Catalina Mountains aids identification. Forewing length of 19–21 mm provides a size reference. The unusual winter flight period may help separate it from sympatric noctuids with similar coloration.

Small moth with forewings 19–21 mm in length. Dorsal forewing reddish brown with obscure maculation; antemedial and postmedial lines slightly paler than ground color. Hindwings translucent white with slight pearly-pink sheen.

Montane habitats in the Santa Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona. Specific microhabitat requirements unknown.

Endemic to the Santa Catalina Mountains in southeastern Arizona, United States. No other populations documented.

Adults emerge in spring, then overwinter. Primary flight activity occurs during winter months.

Larvae probably feed on cottonwood (Populus species).

• cottonwood - probable larval hostfeeding habit inferred from related species; not confirmed by direct observation

Adults overwinter after spring emergence, with flight activity concentrated in winter months—an unusual pattern for temperate noctuid moths.

Named in honor of Professor Joseph Felsenstein, who pioneered modern statistical methods in phylogenetic reconstruction.

• Other Ufeus speciesShare genus-level characteristics including general noctuid morphology and wing shape; differ in forewing coloration, pattern clarity, and hindwing sheen color
• Sympatric Noctuidae with reddish brown forewingsMay resemble superficially in forewing coloration; distinguished by combination of obscure maculation, specific line patterns, and distinctive translucent white hindwings with pearly-pink sheen

• endemic
• Arizona
• montane
• winter-active
• recently described

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon