Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Diaphania hyalinata (Linnaeus, 1767)
Phylogenetic sequence #155525.
Numbers
9 spp. of Diaphania n. of Mex.
Identification
Pearly white wings are somewhat iridescent with broad dark brown band along outer margin and costa. The tip of the abdomen has brushy "
hair-pencils."
Range
e US to s CA / W. Indies -
MAP - (MPG),
(1)Season
mostly Sept-Oct, but yr round in FL (
MPG)
Food
Larvae feed on cucumber family plants: cucumber, melon, squash.
(1)Life Cycle
Many generations (3?) in south, disperses northward in fall, does not persist there.
Remarks
Females* (or
males?) extend pheromone-laden "
hair-pencils" from the tip of their abdomen. These structures serve as both aphrodisiacs and tranquilizers to females as well as repellents to conspecific males. - Wiki
*Note. Some sources imply that males extrude hair-pencils, and others females. Clarification is needed.
See Also
Diaphania indica has abdomen mostly white like
D. hyalinata but black border of forewing is broader.
Diaphania elegans has mostly brown abdominal with first segment white and black border of forewing is broader.
Diaphania modialis is like
D. elegans but lacks the all white first abdominal segment.
Diaphania infimalis is like
D. modialis but smaller with black border of forewing is narrower. Per Capps in Kimball (1965)
(2), specimens of
Diaphania modialis have been misidentified as this species which is not found in NA.
Print References
Powell, J. A., and P. A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. pl. 23.39m; p. 179.
(3)
Covell, C. V. 1984. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths. p. 401, plate 56 #18
(4)
