Ypsolopha gerdanella
Ypsolopha gerdanella is a small in the Ypsolophidae, recorded from the southwestern United States. The has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm. display distinctive golden brown forewings marked with a prominent white longitudinal streak edged in black. The species belongs to a whose members are noted for their unusual resting posture—adults hang upside down with extended forward.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ypsolopha gerdanella: //ˌɪp.soʊˈloʊ.fə ˌɡɜr.dəˈnɛl.ə//
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Identification
Distinguished from other Ypsolopha by the combination of: broad white streak on forewing running full length from base to apex, edged with black and expanding apically; golden brown ground color rather than gray or silvery tones; yellowish shoulder patches. The black longitudinal streaks between , leaving veins as narrow white lines, are distinctive. with black dots above (not uniformly colored).
Appearance
Wingspan approximately 18 mm. white with black scales above. Labial palpi white with sparse black scales on outer surface; tuft on second joint longer than terminal joint. , and white; shoulders yellowish. Forewings light golden brown with white and black markings: broad white streak running from base to apex through middle of wing, edged with black on both sides from base to end of , then broadening to cover portion but obscured by longitudinal black streaks between apical (veins indicated by narrow white lines). Extreme costal edge slightly touched with black; basal part of edge whitish. Hindwings light silky ochreous. Legs and underside of body white, sparsely mottled with single black scales.
Distribution
United States, including New Mexico. Specific associations within this range are not documented.
Similar Taxa
- Other YpsolophidaeMembers of this share the characteristic upside-down resting posture with stretched forward, but differ in wing pattern details, particularly the extent and configuration of white markings on forewings.