Periploca atrata

Hodges, 1962

juniper cone moth

Periploca atrata, commonly known as the juniper cone , is a small moth in the Cosmopterigidae described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. It is restricted to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and California. The is notable for its specialized larval diet on juniper berries.

Periploca atrata by (c) Elliott Gordon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Elliott Gordon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Periploca atrata: /ˌpɛrɪˈploʊkə əˈtrɑːtə/

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Habitat

Associated with juniper woodlands and scrublands where plants occur.

Distribution

Southwestern United States: recorded from Arizona and California.

Seasonality

have been recorded on wing from April to May and from July to August.

Diet

Larvae feed on the berries (cones) of Juniperus californica and Juniperus deppeana.

Host Associations

  • Juniperus californica - larval food plantberries
  • Juniperus deppeana - larval food plantberries

More Details

Etymology

The specific epithet 'atrata' derives from Latin, meaning 'clothed in black' or 'blackened', likely referring to the coloration.

Taxonomic History

Described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. Placed in Chrysopeleiinae within Cosmopterigidae.

Sources and further reading