Protorthodes mexicana

Protorthodes mexicana is a moth in the family Noctuidae first described by J. Donald Lafontaine in 2014. It is found in Xalapa, Mexico.

Protorthodes mexicana
Male
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Protorthodes
Species:	P. mexicana
Binomial name
Protorthodes mexicana Lafontaine, 2014

The length of the forewings is about 12 mm. The forewings are pale whitish buff brown with a dusting of pale-brown scales. The subbasal, antemedial and postmedial lines are very faint and indicated by paler lines bordered on each side by scattered pale-brown scales. The subterminal line is more distinct because of darker shading in the terminal area and the outer part of the subterminal area adjacent to it. The reniform and orbicular spots are slightly darker than the ground color and are outlined in white. The terminal area is darker than the remainder of the forewing because of more numerous gray-brown scales. The hindwings are white with a trace of darker scaling on the veins and the wing margin. Adults have been recorded on wing in late April.

Etymology

The species name is derived from Mexico, where it is found.