Heliothelopsis costipunctalis
Barnes & McDunnough, 1914
Heliothelopsis costipunctalis is a small crambid described from North America in 1914. It is characterized by dark brown to blackish wings with distinctive pale markings, including a small whitish patch on the forewing . The has a limited distribution in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Heliothelopsis costipunctalis: //ˌhiːli.oʊˈθɛləpsɪs ˌkɒstɪˌpʌŋkˈteɪlɪs//
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Identification
Distinguished from related Heliothelopsis and similar crambine by the combination of small size (~16 mm wingspan), the presence of a distinct whitish costal patch on otherwise dark forewings, and uniformly dark hindwings without pale markings. The specific epithet 'costipunctalis' refers to this costal spotting.
Appearance
A small with wingspan approximately 16 mm. Forewings deep black-brown, densely sprinkled with whitish , bearing a small but conspicuous whitish patch on the . Hindwings uniform black-brown without contrasting markings. Overall dark coloration with limited pale patterning.
Distribution
Mexico; United States: Texas and Arizona
Seasonality
active in August