Polypoetes forficata is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found in eastern Ecuador.
| Polypoetes forficata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Notodontidae |
| Genus: | Polypoetes |
| Species: | P. forficata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Polypoetes forficata Miller, 2008
| |
The length of the forewings is 12 to 14 millimetres (0.47 to 0.55 in) for males and 13.5 to 15 millimetres (0.53 to 0.59 in) for females. The ground color of the forewings is dark brown to blackish brown, but lighter in the basal third. The central area of the hindwings is immaculate white, with scattered dark brown scales near the base.
The larvae feed on Psammisia species.
Etymology edit
The name is from the Latin word for scissors shaped (masculine, forficatus) and refers to the strongly bifid uncus of the male genitalia in this taxon, a trait that distinguishes it from most other Polypoetes species.
References edit
- Miller, James S. (2009). "Generic revision of the Dioptinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Notodontidae) Part 1: Dioptini". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 321 (2): 1–676. hdl:2246/5978.