Agonopterix walsinghamella

Distinguished from similar Agonopterix species by the combination of deep crimson-red forewing ground color with extensive black and cinereous speckling, the broadly tawny costa, and the two white discal spots with carmine edging or preceding scales. The specific pattern of the costal tawny area extending nearly to the apex, combined with the strongly indicated cinereous veins nine to twelve, provides additional diagnostic characters.

Adults have a wingspan of 20–22 mm. Forewings are deep crimson red, densely speckled with black and cinereous (ash-gray) scales. The costa is broadly tawny red, extending nearly to the apex. Veins nine to twelve are strongly indicated by cinereous scales and speckled with black, with poorly defined fuscous spots on the extreme edge. Two white discal spots are present: the first at the basal third is edged with carmine, and the second at the end of the cell is preceded by a few carmine scales. Hindwings are light fuscous.

Northeastern United States and Canada. Specific records include Vermont.

Larvae feed on Comptonia peregrina (sweetfern), Myrica aspleniifolia, and Myrica gale (bog myrtle). Adult feeding habits are not documented.

• Comptonia peregrina - larval hostsweetfern
• Myrica aspleniifolia - larval host
• Myrica gale - larval hostbog myrtle

• Other Agonopterix speciesSimilar size and general body plan; distinguished by the unique crimson-red forewing coloration with specific pattern of tawny costa, white discal spots with carmine accents, and strongly indicated posterior veins.

• moth
• Depressariidae
• North America
• larval host: Myricaceae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life