Species Oenoe hybromella - Hodges#0283

0283

Oenoe hybromella Chambers, 1874

Oenoe hybromella is the only described member of the genus in America north of Mexico. (1) However, Terry Harrison notes: "For the record, in dissecting Oenoe from the eastern USA, I found that there actually are two spp. that look like this, and even though they are quite different on male genital morphology, I can't find any way to differentiate them on sight."

About 4 mm long. Wingspan about 8 mm.

Head: Yellowish-white, long haired (scaled). Top of head with some brown. Palpi long, folded; brown and silver gray mixed.

Antenna: 2/3 as long as wings. Grayish-brown, lighter at tips.

Thorax: Purplish-brown.

Wings: Base half of wings purplish-brown. Silvery-white, slightly slanted wavy line dividing rest of wing of golden-brown with brown flecks; flecks heavy and forming patches – one along costal edge, and one at wing tip. Fringe golden-brown with a dotted row of dark brown through the center.

Legs: Dark brown with minute white tips.

Genitalia:

Reported in eastern US and Canada.

The adults are most common from April to September. (1) June to August in the north.

Debris, rotted animal and vegetation matter. One report of rotting wood on felled elm.

Types:

Syntype Oenoe hybromella male by Chambers, 1874. #51. MCZ#1899. Locality: Kentucky. In Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass. No other syntype known.

Compare on the pinned plates of Moth Photographers Group. (1)

Moth Photographers Group (1)

Encyclopedia of Life

The Canadian Entomologist, 1874, Vol. 6, pp. 50 to 51 by Chambers.

Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, 1878, Vol. 2, pg. 186 by Chambers.

Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 1989-92, Vol. 152, pg. 52.