Hypocoena basistriga (McDunnough, 1933)
93-2428
SK
Lloydminster, 2117 ft
53.3, -110.0
September 10, 1948, PF Bruggemann.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Similar Species
Hypocoena inquinata 
Hypocoena rufostrigata "species-data"
species-data
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Identification
Adults
Hypocoena basistriga is a small moth (FW length 11–12 mm) that flies in wetlands in northern British Columbia during the fall. It has a streaked brown forewing, pale cubital vein and branches, a black basal dash, a dark spotted terminal line, and a dark gray hindwing. The forewing is dark tan, slightly lighter gray on the costa and darker gray-brown near the posterior and outer margins. A thin black basal dash is present. The cubital vein and proximal branches M3, CuA1, and CuA2 are white. The veins on the distal wing are dark gray, each bordered by lighter gray-tan. An ill-defined thin dark gray stripe abuts the anterior cubital vein and M3, and a similar gray stripe is present in the fold on the mid-wing. The terminal line is comprised of dark gray triangles between the veins. Other lines and the forewing spots are absent. The fringe is tan. The hindwing is dark brownish gray with a thin darker terminal line and light tan fringe. The head and thorax are gray-tan. The male antenna is bead-like.
This small moth can be identified by its dark tan streaked forewing with black basal dash and pale cubital vein. It is most likely to be confused with Mythimna yukona in its northern habitat. This moth is similar in size and color on both wings. It lacks a basal dash and has hairs on the surface of the eye like other members of the tribe Leucaniini to which it belongs. Hypocoena basistriga can be distinguished from Hypocoena inquinata by the paler hindwing of the latter species, as well as by flight period since H. inquinata flies earlier in the year during the summer.
Habitat
No information is presently available regarding this species in the Pacific Northwest. It is expected to occur in bogs and other wetlands in northern British Columbia.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
This species has been collected in the far eastern and central parts of British Columbia. It is also likely to occur in the far northern parts of the province.
Global
Hypocoena basistriga is found in the western boreal zone, from Alaska to Alberta and the western Great Lakes region. It does not occur further east. Several records are shown for the Sierra Nevada in California on the Moth Photographers Group web site.
Life History
Larvae
No information is presently available regarding the larval biology of this species. It probably bores in monocots like sedges (Cyperaceae).
Adults
This species has been collected in late summer and early fall across its range, most commonly during August and September. The limited number of records from British Columbia are from September and early October. It is nocturnal and comes to lights.
Economic Importance
None.
