Sluggin' Along: Dimorphic Bomolocha

Monday, June 24, 2013

Dimorphic Bomolocha

While getting the hose out to refill the birdbath in the backyard, I spotted a magnificently colored moth on the screen. It took me a while, as usual, to identify this moth, but I finally found a match. This happens to be Hypena bijugalis, otherwise known as the Dimorphic Bomolocha. The common name derives from the Greek word for jester or beggar, presumably referring to the jester-like pattern of the wings. Bomolocha was once the name of this genus. Characteristic of Hypena are the long labial palps which form a "snout" that projects from the front of the head. Also, when the moth is at rest, it holds its triangular forewings together over its abdomen, giving the wings a "swept-back jet fighter" profile. The size and shape of the large brown patches on the wings vary between species. The larvae like to feed on Dogwoods (genus Cornus).

As the common name suggests, adults of H. bijugalis are sexually dimorphic, so the sexes can be easily distinguished. My specimen is a female, as the wings have contrasting light and dark areas. Males are almost uniformly dark except for a small white patch on the inner margin of the PM line.