Protorthodes melanopis Hampson 1905

Protorthodes melanopis is a moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found across the southern United States, from western Texas to southern California. Its range extends as far north as southern Utah and as far south as northern Mexico.

The length of the forewings is 11–14 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is pale grey-brown which emphasizes the contrast between the reniform spot, orbicular spot and the ground color. The pale hindwings of the males contrast with the forewings. In males the hindwing is white and translucent, with some fuscous shading on the veins and wing margin. In females, the hindwing is covered with a fuscous sheen, darker on the veins and wing margin. Adults are on wing from late February to early May and again from mid-August to late September.

Protorthodes melanopis is most easily recognized by the pale gray-brown forewing ground color, which emphasizes the contrast between the reniform spot, orbicular spot, and the ground color. The pale hindwings of the males contrast with the forewings. Forewing length varies from 11 to 14 mm. In males the hindwing is white and translucent, with some fuscous shading on the veins and wing margin; in females the hindwing is covered with a fuscous sheen, darker on the veins and wing margin. The antennal pectinations and wing size are the same as in Protorthodes oviduca. Structurally, the species differs from Protorthodes oviduca by the vesica character given in the key. The coil in the vesica in Protorthodes melanopis is mesial rather than basal, and the dorsal lobe on the sacculus tapers to a pointed process, whereas the dorsal lobe of the sacculus is rounded in Protorthodes oviduca and Protorthodes orobia.

Eriopyga melanopis: syntypes 4 ♂, 1 ♀, BMNH, examined. Type locality: Arizona, Maricopa Co., Phoenix.