Periploca opinatrix Hodges 1969

Periploca opinatrix

A small, dark, gray-black species. Head, thorax, and forewings shining gray black. Dorsal surface of second segment of labial palpus, base of tongue, and hind wing pale yellowish white. Legs yellowish white overlaid with gray black, apex of fore- and midtibiae yellowish white, hind leg mainly yellowish white, dusted with dark gray black, apices of tarsal segments paler than remainder of segments. Alar expanse: 9–10 mm. Male genitalia: as in Figures 8 and 9 (RWH slide 3953). Costal margin of valva strongly arched with a strong seta at two-thirds length and another at one-third, apex of valva acute; aedeagus sinuous, armed dorsally and on right side at three-fourths with four conical projections (dorsal pair larger than lateral pair); basal margin of vinculum emarginate. Female genitalia: as in Figure 27 (RWH slide 3960). Ostium bursae near anterior margin of seventh sternite, opening nearly one-fourth total length of segment, surrounded by a lightly sclerotized region; ductus bursae coiled five or six times; signa paired, near base of corpus bursae, each heavily sclerotized, shaped as half of an ellipse; anterior margin of seventh sternite produced medially to accommodate opening of stout fingerlike pouch; setae on posterior margin of eighth abdominal segment numerous, multiserial.

FOOD PLANT.—Unknown.

HOLOTYPE.—Male, 6 mi NW Newcastle, Wyoming, 13 July 1965, R. W. Hodges (RWH slide 3953). USNM Type 69780.

PARATYPES.—Same locality as for holotype, 2 ♂ ♂, 6 ♂ ♂, 13–20 July 1965 (RWH slides 3950, 51, 54–57, 59, 60) [USNM].

Males of opinatrix may be separated from those of other species of Periploca by having the aedeagus armed with four conical projections at three-fourths, the anterior margin of the vinculum emarginate, and the apex of the valvae acute. Females of opinatrix are nearest those of hortatrix but may be separated by having the fingerlike pouch at the base of the seventh sternite large and stout; the opening is approximately one-half the width of the ostium bursae.

Variation is expressed mainly by the amount of dark gray-black scales on the hind legs. As specimens become worn, the dark gray-black scales are lost, so the forewings appear very light.

Periploca opinatrix is a moth in the family Cosmopterigidae. It was described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1969. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Wyoming.

The wingspan is 9–10 mm. Adults have been recorded on wing in July.