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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Noctuidae
931320 – 9096   Ponometia libedis (Smith, 1900)

© Charles W. Melton
Similar Species:
  • In P. libedis the terminal area has gray spots bordered internally with a vague white st. line. The shading in the subterminal area is a variable but evenly-colored olive or brown without black speckling. There are almost always dark wedge-shaped gray spots on the costa on either side of the reniform spot and in darker forms these turn into olive or olive-brown bands on each side of the reniform spot. Typically the dark medial patch has a well-defined black line on the basal side followed by a chestnut line and then a gray mottled area. ~ D.L.
  • In P. nannodes the terminal area has brown spots bordered internally with a well-defined zigzagged white st. line. The shading in the subterminal area is mottled with gray and brown always (so far) with a lot of black speckling distal to the reniform spot. The dark wedge-shaped spots on the costa are more brown than gray and if they continue down the wing the color stays the same. Typically the dark medial patch has a more diffuse black line on the basal side followed by a mixture of chestnut, black, and gray speckling, often with a second transverse black line in the middle. ~ D.L.
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy: Acontia libedis Smith, 1900
Taxonomic Notes: Ponometia libedis: Formerly placed in the genus Tarachidia, ZooKeys, 39: 1-160.
References
  • Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification, and some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.
  • Lafontaine, J.D. & R.W. Poole, 2010. Review of the New World genera of the subfamily Acontiinae (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). ZooKeys, 39: 1-160.
  • Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 50.18m; p. 280. Book Review and ordering
  • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
  • Species Page at The Noctuidae of North America by Robert W. Poole (Nearctica.com) - archived page access (go to a year prior to 2020 and select a blue circled date from the calendar).
Ponometia libedis
© Lee Hoy
Ponometia libedis
© Charles Melton
Ponometia libedis
© Charles Melton
Ponometia libedis
18mm – © Jim Vargo

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