Copy of `USGS - Macromoths of the Northwest`

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USGS - Macromoths of the Northwest Category: Animals and Nature Date & country: 01/07/2013, USA Words: 50

abdomen
One of the three primary body segments, along with the head and thorax, characteristic of insects. The abdomen in moths is typically elongate and contains the reproductive organs.

anal angle
the angle along the edge of the wing created by the transition from the outer margin to the inner margin.

antennae
(singular: antenna) variously shaped filamentous sensory organs located on the top of the head.

area, anal
the area on the wing between the outer margin and the inner margin, proximal to the anal angle.

area, apical
the area on the wing below the apex.

area, basal
the area at the base of the wing where the wing is attached to the thorax.

area, discal
the area of the wing containing and immediately adjacent to the discal cell.

area, median
the central area of the wing.

area, midcostal
the area in the center of the front edge of the wing.

area, postmedian
the area on the wing immediately distal to the median area and proximal to the submarginal area.

area, subanal
the area on the wing proximal to the anal area.

area, subapical
the area on the wing proximal to the apical area.

area, submarginal
the area on the wing proximal to the outer margin.

band
a wide area typically extending more than half the distance along the width or length of the wing and often demarked by lines and associated with a particular area on the wing.

band, inner
a wide area near the base of the wing demarked by lines extending the width of the wing.

bar
a narrow, short mark on the wing; a very short dash.

butterfly
the adult of a species of Lepidoptera with knobbed antennae, day-flying, and typically brightly colored.

cell, discal
an area of the wing delineated by the discal veins in the discal area.

dash
a narrow, short mark extending less than half the distance along the width or length of the wing.

dentate
tooth-like markings, typically along one side of a line.

eyespot
a round multi-colored spot on the forewing or hindwing.

falcate
curved into a sickle-shape, often used to describe a wing with the tip extended into a subtle or elongate, curved point.

femur
the third segment of the true legs preceeded by the coxa and the trochanter. The femur is the first leg segment that is elongate, followed by the tibia which is also elongate.

filiform
thin and threadlike, typically used to describe long and slender antennae.

foreleg
the first pair of true legs nearest the head. The forelegs are ventrally attached to the first thoracic segment.

forewing(s)
the wing(s) attached to the second thoracic segment, the first pair of wings from the head.

head
One of three primary body segments characteristic of insects, along with the thorax and abdomen. The head contains the antennae, mouthparts, eyes, and brain.

hindwing(s)
the wing(s) attached to the third thoracic segment, the second pair of wings from the head.

line
a narrow mark, extending more than half the distance along the width or length of the wing and associated with a particular area on the wing.

line, basal
a line in the basal area near to where the wing attaches to the thorax.

line, median
a line in the median area of the wing.

line, postmedian
a line in the postmedian area of the wing.

line, submarginal
a line in the submarginal area of the wing.

macromoth
the adult of a species of Lepidoptera with the tips of antennae tapered; in the Pacific Northwest the species occur in one of the following families: Arctiidae, Dioptidae, Drepanidae, Epiplemidae, Geometridae, Lasiocampidae, Lymantriidae, Noctuidae, Notodontidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae, and Thyatiridae.

margin, costal
the front edge of the wing.

margin, inner
the back edge of the wing.

margin, outer
the distal edge of the wing.

micromoth
the adult of a species of Lepidoptera with the tips of antennae tapered, typically small bodied; many families of micromoths occur in the Pacific Northwest; not a butterfly or a macromoth.

palps, labial
small, segmented, filamentous appendages attached to the labium on the mouthparts.

patch
a small restricted area of the wing demarked by a distinct color but not delineated by lines.

pectinate
comb-like, often used to describe antennae with numerous fine branches arranged asymetrically along one side of antennal segments.

plumose
feather-like, often used to describe antennae with numerous fine branches arranged in opposition along the antennal segments.

skipper
the adult of a species of Lepidoptera in the family Hesperiidae; antennae with a hooked-tip; day-flying, closely related to butterflies.

spot, orbicular
a single near round-shaped spot that occurs just short of half way along the front edge of the forewing within the discal cell.

spot, reniform
a single irregularly shaped spot, often kidney-shaped, that occurs just past half way along the front edge of the forewing at the distal end of the discal cell.

spots, discal
a combination of the reniform and orbicular spots.

stigma
a distinct marking in the median area, of variable shape, often comma or v-shaped, usually silver or white, characteristic of Plusiinae: Noctuidae.

streak
a narrow long mark extending more than half the distance along the width or length of the wing.

thorax
one of the three primary body segments characteristic of insects, along with the head and abdomen. The thorax consists of three segments with a pair of wings attached dorsally to the second and third segments, and a pair of jointed legs attached ventrally to each segment.

wingspan
the distance between the tips of the front wings in a properly spread specimen.