Species Eucalantica polita - Hodges#2350

2350

Eucalantica polita (Walsingham, 1881)

Calantica polita Walsingham, 1881 (1)

Phylogenetic sequence #360033

Specific epithet is Latin meaning "polished" for the "shining white" forewings. (1)

Forewing length 5.7-7.5 mm. (2)

Wingspan 15 mm. (1)

According to Sohn and Nishida (2011) (3) E. polita can be differentiated from the similar Euceratia castella in that, in E. polita, there is a dorsal patch on the forewing and no white annulations on the antenna (dorsal patch absent and antennal annulations present in E. castella). From the other North American species of the genus, Eucalantica vaquero, which was described by Sohn and Nishida (2011), E. polita is differentiated as follows: (1) Geographic range: E. vaquero known from New Mexico, Arizona, and the Mexican states of Durango and Veracruz, E. polita distributed along Pacific coast from British Columbia, Canada to California, USA; (2) External appearance: Forewing fringe pale grayish brown in terminal 25% in E. vaquero, forewing fringe pale grayish brown in terminal 50% in E. polita; (3) Male genitalia: Aedeagus with swelling at 3/5 length in E. vaquero, without swelling in E. polita; (4) Female genitalia: Signum present in E. vaquero, absent in E. polita.

Along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to central California and Santa Cruz Island. (2)

E. polita has been reared from spp. of Vaccinium (Ericaceae). (3), (2)

Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler. 2009. Moths of Western North America, pl.11.19; p.108. (2)

Walsingham, T. de Grey. 1881. On some North-American Tineidae. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1881: 302; Pl.35, f.2. (1)

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