Mycterophora rubricans Barnes & McDunnough, 1918
93-0678
CA : Plumas Co.
Nelson Cr, 4336 ft
39.8, -120.8
W. R. Bauer.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Similar Species
Mycterophora monticola 
Mycterophora longipalpata "species-data"
species-data
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Identification
Adults
Mycterophora rubricans is a common, mottled, orange-brown Mycterophora found in forests in western Oregon in our region. Like other members of the genus. it is small (FW length 12 mm) with broad wings, slender body, and wide bipectinate male antennae. The wing outer margins are slightly scalloped. The color and pattern of both wings is similar, dull light red-brown or orange-brown with darker slightly indistinct scalloped transverse lines. The costa is slightly darker than the rest of the wing near the apex and the terminal wings have a series of light patches between the veins. All of the forewing lines are angled laterally at their origin at the costa, then bent toward the posterior margin near the top of the cell. The orbicular spot is a small line, while the discal spots of both wings are very faint or absent. The palpi are long. The male antenna is broadly bipectinate while that of the female is simple.
Mycterophora rubricans can be distinguished from Mycterophora longipalpata by its red-brown color, dull brownish gray in M. longipalpata, and by the absence of discal spots which are prominent in the latter species. Mycterophora monticola, a rare species currently known only from the northern portion of the east slope of Oregon's Cascade Mountains, is similar reddish brown but has more contrasting postmedial lines on both the forewing and hindwing.
Habitat
This species is common in drier forests along the summit of the Cascades and in open ponderosa pine or lodgepole pine forests east of the Cascades. It sporadically occurs in juniper woodlands east of the Cascades as well, but is usually rare.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Mycterophora rubricans is nearly restricted to Oregon in the Pacific Northwest where it is most common in the Cascade Mountains. It is sporadic in the eastern part of the state. A single Washington record exists as a photograph from Stevenson in the Columbia Gorge.
Global
This species appears to be restricted to the West Coast and is found in California south of our region..
Life History
Larvae
No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants for this species.
Adults
Adults are single brooded and fly in the summer. This species is nocturnal and comes to light.
Economic Importance
None.
