Species Stamnodes fervefactaria - Hodges#7354

7354

original combination Emplocia fervefactaria Grote, 1881. Type locality: northern New Mexico

forewing length 12 - 15 mm (1)

Very closely similar to S. deceptiva, but usually found at higher elevations and apparently ranging farther northward. Averaging larger in size. Light coloring variable in hue, often orange above and distinctly pinkish below, or may also be distinctly yellowish. Pattern variable, but usually front wing with light markings near apex forming a "Y" shape, with a distinct trunk below the diverging arms; with outer arm usually not, or only somewhat irregular along outer margin and sometimes strongly reduced or absent; with costa at base of wing yellow to red. Hind wing with large dark zone near costa on outer half of wing wider than tall (following axis of wing).

southern Colorado southward thru New Mexico and Arizona into Mexico

adults fly in summer, mostly in August (1)

[note by D.J. Ferguson] As of October 14, 2012, Bold Systems samples under the name of Stamnodes fervefactaria are a mix of two or perhaps three species. Those from Arizona (Cochise & Santa Cruz Counties), and the one labeled as JLB-0273, are S. deceptiva; those from Colorado (El Paso County) are S. fervefactaria; while those from Sonora are most like S. fervefactaria, but have a distinct wing shape with slightly different pattern, and may represent a third species, or perhaps a subspecies.

The same specimens are referenced here

These are all clearly very closely related, and DNA samples will likely be very similar, and perhaps not separable by "barcode" methods.

Specimens shown at the Moth Photographer's Group web page for S. fervefactaria are a mix of S. deceptiva & S. fervefactaria.

Specimens from central Texas are much like both S. deceptiva & S. fervefactaria, but seem to represent a distinct taxon from both.