Afotella cylindrica (Grote, 1880)
93-2821
WA : Grant Co.
Meadow Cr.; Sun Lakes SP, 1573 ft
47.6, -119.3
July 14, 1996, L. & E. Crabo.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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/media/moths_z/Afotella cylindrica-A-D
Similar Species
Escaria clauda 
Escaria homogena 
Hadenella pergentilis "species-data"
species-data
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Elevation (ft)
Identification
Adults
Afotella cylindrica is a small plainly marked gray noctuid moth (FW length 11 - 13 mm) that flies in desert habitats throughout the year. It has powdery gray forewings, often with a red-brown line medial to the subterminal line, and a light tan hindwing. The forewing is minimally darker along the costa and in the terminal area, with darker veins. The transverse lines are barely darker gray than the adjacent wing and are poorly defined except as dots on the costa. The pale subterminal line is white or slightly yellow, and is preceded by a dark gray patch near the apex, and a lighter gray or dark red-brown shade. The orbicular spot is gray, round or oval, with peripheral slightly lighter gray and a central ocellus of the ground color. The orbicular spot is similar but is filled with the ground color and is usually indistinct. The claviform spot is dark, occasionally absent. The hindwing is light tan or whitish tan with gray veins, postmedial line, and discal spot and a two-toned pale fringe. The head and thorax are gray. The eye is covered with fine hairs. The male antenna is filiform.
Afotella cylindrica is most similar to Hadenella pergentilis and these species might eventually be shown to be closely related. Both are small desert-flying moths with similar tan hindwings. Hadenella pergentilis is mostly gray, while A. cylindrica has extensive orange-brown areas on the forewing. Other small gray desert noctuid moths such as Neoligia species have a much more distinct pattern on the forewing.
Habitat
This species is narrowly restricted to desert habitats in the Great Basin region. It is often abundant on very dry sagebrush steppe at low elevations, for example in the Alvord Desert of southeastern Oregon.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Afotella cylindrica is found in the driest habitats in the Columbia Basin, southeastern Oregon, and southern Idaho. The range appears to be limited to near the east bank of the Columbia River in central Washington. Its distribution is much greater in southeastern Oregon and southern Idaho.
Global
The range of this species extends south from the Pacific Northwest and Alberta to eastern California. The southern limits in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain region are poorly known to us.
Life History
Larvae
No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants of this species.
Adults
Afotella cylindrica has a long flight season from spring to fall. The records from our region extend from mid-April to October, although it is most commonly collected in June and July. It is nocturnal and comes to lights.
Economic Importance
None.
