Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Palpita quadristigmalis (Guenée, 1854)
Margarodes quadristigmalis Guenée, 1854
Glyphodes quadristigmalis Guenée, 1854
* phylogenetic sequence #155900
Explanation of Names
Quadristigmalis is derived from Latin meaning "four-spotted."
Size
Forewing length 13.5-14.5 mm.
(1)Identification
Adult - forewing translucent white with dark brown strip along costa containing 3 black dots in basal half; hindwing white with dark discal dot; snout pointed; legs banded brown and white.
"As far as I can tell, P. quadristigmalis always has the 3 dots along the costal stripe along with the dot at the lower, outer corner of the discal cell. P. kimballi only has the dot at the lower, outer corner of the cell, and it may be obscure. Both seem to be able to have brown patches on the front legs, but P. kimball has them much more pronounced on my specimens. P. quadristigmalis also has a discal dot on the hindwing that is apparently missing in P. kimballi, and P. quadristigmalis has wings that are much more translucent, even when fresh. The hindwings of quadristigmalis also tend to have a terminal dark shade just before the fringe (not visible on many photos where it is obscured by the background showing through)." -- Brian Scholtens
Range
Quebec and Ontario to Florida, west to Arizona, north to Colorado.
Season
Adults fly in May and June in the north; possibly year-round in the far south.
Food
Known hosts include privet.
(2), Forestiera segregata (T.Feldman)
See Also
Kimball's Palpita (
Palpita kimballi) forewing lacks dark dots along basal half of costal strip, and hindwing lacks discal dot.
Print References
Guenée, M. A. 1854: Deltoïdes et Pyralites. Pp. 304. – In: Boisduval, J. B. A. D. de & M. A. Guenée, Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Species Général des Lépidoptères 8 8. – Roret, Paris.
Holland, W. J. 1915. The moth book. Doubleday, Page & Company.
394
Munroe, E. G. 1950: The generic positions of some North American Lepidoptera commonly referred to Pyrausta Schrank (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). – The Canadian Entomologist, Ottawa 82 (11): 220.
Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. University of California Press. pl. 23.42m, p.179
Internet References
BOLD Systems - images of pinned DNA supported specimens
pinned adult image (John Snyder, Furman U., South Carolina
presence in Ontario; citation (NHIC; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)
distribution in North America (Dalton State College, Georgia)
