Vittata Group

4 spp. in our area

alternating light and dark longitudinal vittae, where the cuticle beneath is the same color as the setae above (in other words, it's not just the color of setae which result in the stripe)

J.D. Pinto explains: "[image] identifications are based on location and distance between the outer two black vittae relative to the inner when there are 3. If only two vittae, clearly vittata. If three, then distance among them is important although vittata and occidentalis may overlap in this character -- and the photos don't always give an adequate view. Antennal and sternal features also important, but these can't be seen in most photos. In Texas the picture is complicated by a third species, temexa. Females, especially from Texas, are really tough even with specimens in hand."