Explanation of Names
Megacraspedus plutella (Chambers, 1874)
Neda plutella Chambers, 1874
Identification
"Third joint of palpi and upper surface of the second one creamy white, the second otherwise dark gray brown; head, thorax and the dorsal margin of the primaries to a point beyond the beginning of the ciliae, creamy white, the primaries otherwise dark gray brown, except that the extreme costa is creamy white and the costal margin is obscurely streaked with the same hue. Ciliae of primaries creamy white, except at the apex. Al. ex. 7/16 inch. Season, September. The ornamentation reminds one of a Pluiella." - Chambers, 1874.
Remarks
Placement of Megacraspedus plutella in or near Metzneria, Isophrictis, or Monochroa may be supported based on dissected samples, thought to be that species, from AZ by Sangmi Lee and from IL by Terry Harrison.
One of Lee's samples was barcoded and resides alongside Charles Melton's BOLD ID
CMAZA1288-12 (BugGuide Photo #
445187) in BIN (
ABW6361). These two AZ samples have a small dark subcostal spot at one-third from the forewing base. This mark is found in
Megacraspedus exilis Walsingham, 1909, type locality: Mexico, but is lacking in
M. plutella, type locality: TX. The closest BIN (
AAM8607) contains one sample from TX and it lacks the subcostal spot but is otherwise similar. It may be that
M. exilis is found in AZ and that
M. plutella ranges from TX to IL.
Conversely, it is possible that the two names represent one species in which case
M. plutella would have precedence. The type specimens will likely need to be examined. The next closest BIN (
AAG5281) contains one sample from AZ which does have the subcostal spot. - Steve Nanz (2/2/2018)
See Also
Megacraspedus exilis is unknown north of Mexico. It is described as being similar to M. plutella but with a small dark subcostal spot at one-third from the forewing base absent in M. plutella.
Print References
Chambers, V.T. 1874.
Tineina from Texas Canadian Entomologist. 6:
244.
Walsingham, M.A. 1909. Biologia Centrali-Americana :zoology, botany and archaeology. Insecta. Lepidoptera-Heterocera 4:
21, pl.
1, f. 20. (
Megacraspedus exilis)
