Cosmopterix damnosa
Hodges, 1962
Cosmopterix damnosa is a small in the Cosmopterigidae, described by Hodges in 1962. It is recorded from five U.S. states spanning the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast. exhibit periods in spring and fall. The displays distinctive metallic markings and white line patterns on the forewings.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cosmopterix damnosa: //kɒzmɒpˈtɛrɪks dæmˈnɔːsə//
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Identification
Distinguished from by forewing pattern: four narrow white lines in basal area (costal, subcostal, medial, ), pale yellow transverse fascia with short protrusion, and two tubercular pale golden metallic costal and spots at outer edge of fascia. Subdorsal white line one and a half times length of medial line and positioned further from base. with diagnostic alternating white and dark brown segmental pattern. Cilia of forewing dark brown, paler towards dorsum.
Appearance
Small with forewing length 3.3–5.1 mm. : shining white with greenish and reddish reflections; vertex and neck tufts shining dark brown with reddish gloss, laterally and medially lined white; collar shining dark brown. Labial palpus with first segment very short and white, second segment four-fifths the length of third and dark brown with white longitudinal lines laterally and ventrally, third segment white with dark brown lateral lines. Scape dorsally shining dark brown with white line, ventrally shining white. shining dark brown with complex white and dark brown segmental pattern: short white line at base changing to interrupted white line to one-half, then alternating short dark brown and white sections. and tegulae shining dark brown with reddish gloss; thorax with white line, tegulae lined white inwardly. Legs dark brown with white markings on tibiae and ; of midleg and hindleg with half ochreous. Forewing shining dark brown with reddish gloss, with four narrow white lines in basal area and pale yellow transverse fascia beyond middle bordered by pale golden metallic fasciae and spots. Hindwing shining brownish grey. dorsally shining pale ochreous to pale brown with reddish reflection, segments banded greyish posteriorly; ventrally shining white. Anal tuft white in male, ochreous-white in female.
Distribution
United States: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, and New Hampshire.
Seasonality
collected from late March to mid-April and in September, indicating two per year.