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Photo#468313
Moth with clear wings - Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis - male

Moth with clear wings - Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis - Male
Albuquerque, NE, Alameda 7.5 minute quadrangle, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
October 3, 2010
Size: 26.5 mm wingspan
Download high resolution image here.

This interesting moth superficially resembles a Sesiidae (Clearwing moth), but its hingwings are much rounder than the typical elongated triangular hindwings of that family. The antennae too are quite different, starting at the base strongly bipectinate, but narrowing to slightly pectinate (almost filiform) near the tip (see detailed image linked to above). That feature, as much as the clear wings themselves, should be diagnostic. It is, however, beyond me as to even what family this moth belongs. Help would be appreciated.

This moth was caught in my backyard at night using a Bug Napper(TM) UV light trap in Albuquerque, NE, Alameda 7.5 minute quadrangle.

I've linked a complementary backlighted image to better show the wings' veins.

Images of this individual: tag all
Moth with clear wings - Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis - male Moth with clear wings, backlighted - Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis - male

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

recognized it by pure accident. i know very VERY little about leps, so, unfortunately, i can't be of any further help to you with this neat oddity -- pls wait for a real expert

[P.S. BBCodes do not work in the 'Subject' field]

 
Commentary welcome
I'm fairly sure of the ID, but I'll give it a week or two for commentary before moving. Expert commentary refuting or confirming my species ID is welcome.

Psychidae
**

 
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis
Thanks. Given that lead, I was able to determine that it appears to be Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis. Other good pictures of the adult can be found at MPG, here, and here. T. meadii looks similar, but its wing veins appear much lighter when backlighted, and its hind wings are not nearly as round as those of T. ephemeraeformis.

I'll move it to T. ephemeraeformis in a few days, if there are no objections. This would be the first BG photo of this species from New Mexico. While browsing Physcidae, I noticed that BG images 142725, 142726, and 142729, presently identified only to family, should probably be moved to T. ephemeraeformis too.

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