Mojavia

Identified by the striking pink coloration on the basal third of forewings extending along the costa, contrasting with olivaceous ocherous on the distal portion. The deep smoky hindwings and small size (5–6 mm forewing length) are additional diagnostic features. Distinguished from similar small crambid moths by the specific pink-olive wing pattern rather than uniform or striped coloration.

Small moth with forewing length of 5–6 mm. Basal third of forewings deep pink, extending along costa nearly to apex. Remainder of forewing olivaceous ocherous, bordered with pink along outer margin. Hindwings deep smoky in color.

Arid and semi-arid environments of the southwestern United States. Specific microhabitat preferences are not documented.

Recorded from Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States. The distribution corresponds to the Mojave Desert and adjacent arid regions, though precise range boundaries are not established.

Adults active in April and from June through September. Multi-brooded or extended emergence period suggested by the bimodal flight pattern.

• Other small Crambidae in OdontiinaeSimilar size and general morphology, but distinguished by Mojavia's distinctive pink-olive forewing color pattern and deep smoky hindwings

The genus name 'Mojavia' is also used for a genus of cyanobacteria (Nostocaceae) described in 2007, creating potential nomenclatural confusion between unrelated organisms. The moth genus has priority (1961).

• monotypic
• desert moth
• southwestern North America
• pink coloration

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Mojavia aguilerae and M. dolomitestris — two new Nostocaceae (Cyanobacteria) species from the Americas