Adela ridingsella

Clemens, 1864

Ridings' Fairy Moth

Adela ridingsella, described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1864, is a fairy longhorn ( ) widespread in eastern North America. are active from June to July. The is distinguished by the extremely long characteristic of male Adelidae, though specific measurements for this species are not documented. Larval biology remains poorly known, though found in on Parthenocissus quinquefolia may belong to this species.

Adela ridingsella 70171400 by skitterbug. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Adela ridingsella 41102623 by Theo Rickert. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Adela ridingsella 41102618 by Theo Rickert. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Adela ridingsella: /əˈdeɪlə rɪˌdɪŋsˈɛlə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other eastern North Adela by geographic range and . Males exhibit the 's characteristic three times length; females with antennae approximately twice forewing length. Distinguished from Adela caeruleella by later period (June-July vs. April-May) and more northern Appalachian distribution. Specific coloration and pattern details for A. ridingsella are not documented in available sources.

Images

Distribution

Eastern North America, from Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec south through Maine and Pennsylvania to the mountains of North Carolina. Records from Vermont confirmed.

Seasonality

on from June to July.

Host Associations

  • Parthenocissus quinquefolia - probable larval found in on this may belong to this ; larval association not confirmed

Life Cycle

form external cases after developing in . Complete details unknown.

Similar Taxa

  • Adela caeruleellaOverlaps in eastern North America; distinguished by earlier period (April-May), different preference (deciduous forest trails), and association with different plants

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described in 1864; formerly considered a of . Status in Missouri listed as unknown in some sources.

Sources and further reading