Species Dicymolomia metalliferalis - Hodges#4892

4892

described in 1873 by Packard, who originally placed it in genus Calaclysta, a misspelling of Cataclysta

Adult: fine black wavy lines on hindwing are diagnostic

southern Vancouver Island to San Diego, California

adults fly from May to October in California

larvae have been collected from damaged and decaying seedpods of two lupine species: Silver Lupine (Lupinus albifrons) and Broadleaf Lupine (L. latifolius); larvae are presumed to feed on detritus within the decomposed seedpods (see Wagner document in References sections below)

overwinters as a larva in seedpod of hostplant

On Dicymolomia opuntialis (below), the outer half of the FW is more uniformly grizzled gray with little internal pattern or just a small black spot; on metalliferalis, this area is more mottled orange, white, and black. There is a fairly conspicuous median white line across the FW on metalliferalis, absent on opuntialis, and the subterminal white crescent on the FW of opuntialis only extends about 1/2 along the outer margin, whereas this same white subterminal line on metalliferalis covers about 7/8 of the outer margin. These features are more easily seen in lateral views than in top views of the moth.

(Left, opuntialis; Right, metalliferalis)

Other Dicymolomia and related species lack fine black wavy lines on hindwing (see photos of several species by Jim Vargo at MPG)

Wagner, David. 1985. Biology and description of the larva of Dicymolomia metalliferalis: a case-bearing Glaphyriine (Pyralidae). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society. 39(1):13-18.

[available online in PDF format here]

pinned adult image by Tom Dimock (Moth Photographers Group)

detailed illustrated description of larva; PDF doc and species account including photo of adult (David Wagner, courtesy of Yale U.)

presence in California; list of 17 specimen records with dates and locations (U. of California at Berkeley)

presence in British Columbia; list (U. of British Columbia)

author, date, and original genus (nearctica.com)