Noctueliopsis aridalis
(Barnes & Benjamin, 1922)
Zigzag Bantam
Noctueliopsis aridalis is a small desert-dwelling in the Crambidae, commonly known as the Zigzag Bantam. It was described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1922. The is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Noctueliopsis aridalis: /nɔkˌtjuːɛliˈɒpsɪs ˌærɪˈdeɪlɪs/
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Identification
Distinguished from related Noctueliopsis by its small size (5.5–6.5 mm forewing length) and restricted desert in the southwestern United States. The specific epithet "aridalis" references its arid habitat. Precise diagnostic features for separating it from are not documented in available sources.
Images
Appearance
Small with forewing length of 5.5–6.5 mm. The "Zigzag Bantam" suggests patterned forewings, though specific coloration details are not documented in available sources.
Habitat
Desert environments. Specific microhabitat preferences within desert are not documented.
Distribution
Southwestern United States: recorded from Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Seasonality
active from March to June.
Similar Taxa
- Other Noctueliopsis species share similar small size and may occur in overlapping ranges; precise separation requires examination of genitalia or wing pattern details not specified in available sources.
More Details
Etymology
The specific epithet "aridalis" derives from Latin "aridus" (dry), referencing the ' desert .
Taxonomic history
Original description by Barnes and Benjamin in 1922.