Epermenia albapunctella

Busck, 1908

Epermenia albapunctella is a small in the Epermeniidae, described by August Busck in 1908. It is distributed across northern and eastern North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The is associated with specific plants in the Apiaceae family.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Epermenia albapunctella: /ɛpɛrˈmɛnia ælbəpʊŋkˈtɛla/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Epermenia by the combination of the round white dot at the end of the forewing flanked by black longitudinal dashes, and the broad blackish fascia across the middle of the forewing. The specific pattern of light patches preceding and following the fascia provides additional diagnostic characters.

Appearance

Small with wingspan approximately 13 mm. Forewings dark fuscous, mottled with lighter fuscous and interspersed with black and brown . An ill-defined, broad blackish fascia crosses the middle of the forewing, bordered by lighter patches. A round white dot marks the end of the , with a black longitudinal dash before and after it. Hindwings uniformly dark fuscous.

Habitat

Associated with supporting its plants in the Apiaceae , including Osmorhiza occidentalis, Ligusticum scoticum, and Heracleum .

Distribution

North America: recorded from Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Brunswick, North Carolina, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, and Vermont.

Diet

Larvae feed on Osmorhiza occidentalis, Ligusticum scoticum, and Heracleum (Apiaceae).

Host Associations

  • Osmorhiza occidentalis - larval plant
  • Ligusticum scoticum - larval plant
  • Heracleum - larval plant-level association

More Details

Taxonomic history

Described by August Busck in 1908.

Sources and further reading