Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera


Desmia maculalis Westwood, 1831


Family: Crambidae
Subfamily: Pyraustinae
Identification: Identifying Desmia funeralis and Desmia maculalis. From Brian Scholtens: "The character that I use is the extent of the white patch on the underside of the abdomen. D. funeralis individuals have a solid white patch on the underside of the abdomen on segments 1-5 (or may have a slight break on segment 3). D. maculalis individuals have a broken white patch, where about 1/2 of segments 3 and 4 are clearly dark. Basically, maculalis looks striped on the underside, whereas funeralis looks like it is basically solid white." There is considerable size overlap between male Desmia maculalis and female D. funeralis so it is necessary to sex the moth to be able to identify the species. Fortunately, sexing the 2 species is relatively easy. Males of D. funeralis and D. maculalis have a distinct notch or joint at about the mid-point of each antenna. The hindwing spot on the females of both species is pinched in the middle and on rare occasions may be divid
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Comments: NULL
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