Triocnemidini New Genus 3 flagrantis (Smith)

"Oncocnemis flagrantis"

Oncocnemis flagrantis Smith, 1893, Insect Life, 5: 330, figure 9.

Diagnosis: This species looks like a smaller and much duller version of Triocnemidini New Genus 2 primula. The ground color of the forewing is dull cream white with a slight green tinge to it. The reniform spot of the forewing is the same blotch as in primula and the orbicular spot is also a black dot with a wide cream colored ring about it. The median area is suffused with black, although the black sometimes extends into the subterminal area as well. The hindwing is not white but suffused with brown black. Superfically it might be confused with Sympistis singularis (Barnes and McDunnough). Both have a claw. However the "lashes" in this species are not true lashes but a tuft of scales from the basal segment of the antenna pointing upward, not from the base of the antenna and spreading over the eye. Also the structure of the tibial claw is different. The tarsal claw of singularis, although strong, has a strong secondary claw along the distal apex of the tibia. This distal secondary claw is absent in flagrantis. The dorsal surface of the thorax except for the patagia is steel gray in singularis, but uniformly cream colored in flagrantis.

Adults have been collected in April and May.

Distribution: This species is apparently a denizen of the Mohave Desert region of the southwestern United States. It has been collected in southern California and southern Nevada. There is some variation in the amount of dark suffusion of the forewing, but not much.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown. However the modification of the ovipositor lobes suggests that females lay their eggs in flower or leave buds.

Similar Species

No Similar Species