Philonome nigrescens

Sohn & Davis, 2015

Philonome nigrescens is a small in the Tineidae, first described by Sohn and Davis in 2015. It is native to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and New Mexico. The species name derives from Latin 'nigrescere' (meaning 'verging on black'), referencing the dark ground color of the forewings. The species is characterized by distinctive wing markings including white longitudinal and costal fasciae on dark brown forewings with a coppery luster.

Philonome nigrescens by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Philonome nigrescens by Sohn J-C, Davis DR, Lopez-Vaamonde C. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Philonome nigrescens: //ˌfaɪloʊˈnɒmi nɪˈɡrɛsɛnz//

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Identification

Distinguished from other Philonome by the combination of dark brown forewings with coppery luster and the specific arrangement of white markings: longitudinal fascia restricted to basal one-third, straight costal fascia broadened at , and presence of bar plus three distinct white spots (subapical, , tornal). The small size (forewings under 3.5 mm) and southwestern U.S. distribution further aid identification. Accurate identification requires examination of genitalia or reference to original description.

Images

Appearance

A minute with forewings 2.1–3.2 mm in length. Forewings dark brown with coppery metallic luster. Pattern includes: white longitudinal fascia extending from base to basal one-third of forewing; white costal fascia that is straight and broadened at the ; white bar; and white subapical, , and tornal spots. Hindwings grey, paler toward the base.

Distribution

Southwestern United States: recorded from Arizona and New Mexico. Specific associations within this range are not documented.

Similar Taxa

Other Philonome speciesShare and general Tineidae ; distinguished by specific wing pattern elements and distribution

More Details

Etymology

The epithet 'nigrescens' refers to the black ground color of the forewings, derived from Latin 'nigrescere' meaning 'verging on black'.

Taxonomic Note

Originally described in Tineidae; GBIF lists family as Lyonetiidae, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions in this group of micromoths. The was described relatively recently (2015) and remains poorly known.