Black Snout (8465)

Hypena scabra

Family Erebidae, subfamily Hypeninae

Photograph copyright by Tony Leukering

11 June 2012

Near Whitesboro

CMMP block S07

Distribution map

The common name provided here for this beast may sound unfamiliar to many, as it is often known by its caterpillar's name, Green Cloverworm or Green Cloverworm Moth. However, all other U. S. and Canada species in the genus that sport common names are called snouts (11 in the Beadle and Leckie guide), due to the labial palps that extend forward of the head, a feature typical of the genus. The species' appearance is wildly variable, but all individuals sport the nearly-straight line perpendicular to the inner edge of the forewing that connects to the base of the black triangle that is so prominent on this individual. Though the variability in appearance would be worth an essay here in its own right, the premise for this essay is, again, common names.

As noted previously in this venue, a large percentage of common names presented in moth field guides aimed at the layman or amateur are difficult and often not composed entirely of English words. I mean, if we're going to have "common" names such as Helcystogramma, why bother? I believe in a coherent, standardized set of common names established by some body with some sort of official standing. Ideally, common names would also be relevant in some fashion to the species or group of species and its appearance, behavior, or ecology. Finally, and most relevant to our subject species, only under certain extenuating circumstances should members of a single genus be known under different group names (such as Baltimore Snout and Green Cloverworm).

Despite the assertion by many that scientific names are more stable than are English epithets, such monikers are at least as subject to change as are common names. One excellent example of such is the moth illustrated on page 371 of the Beadle and Leckie guide called Small Characoma, a beast that now resides in the genus Garella. Yes, it was formerly in the genus Characoma, but has been saddled with a "common" name based on a genus name that no longer applies! (Note, though, that the MPG site lists a different common name.) In fact, the genus of Black Snout has been changed recently, too, with the species formerly being a member of Plathypena and with many other members of Hypena formerly belonging to Bomolocha.