Ethmia burnsella

Powell, 1973

Ethmia burnsella is a small in the Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae), described by Powell in 1973. It is known only from northern Texas in the United States. The species is characterized by distinctive wing coloration with pale ocherous forewings featuring contrasting dark markings. Like other members of the Ethmia, it likely has larvae that feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family or related families, though specific records for this species are not documented.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ethmia burnsella: /ˈɛθ.mi.ə bɜrnˈsɛl.ə/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Ethmia by the specific pattern of pale ocherous forewings with pale gray-brown costal area and distinctly darker brownish black spots on the half. The bicolored hindwings (white basally, pale ocherous distally) also aid identification. Accurate identification to species level in Ethmia typically requires examination of genitalia.

Appearance

Forewings 10.2–11 mm in length. Forewing ground color pale ocherous with costal area pale gray-brown; half marked with brownish black spots distinctly darker than costal area. Hindwing ground color white basally, becoming pale ocherous distally and along anal margin.

Distribution

Northern Texas, United States. Known only from this region; precise locality details beyond state level are not published.

Similar Taxa

Ethmia discostrigellaSimilar size and general appearance; occurs in oak woodlands and foothills, feeds on Mountain Mahogany (Boraginaceae). Distinguished by specific forewing pattern and geographic distribution.
Other Ethmia speciesApproximately 50 of Ethmia occur in North America, many in the southwestern United States. Most are superficially similar in black, white, and gray coloration, requiring genitalic examination for definitive identification.