Ethmia marmorea

Walsingham, 1888

Ethmia marmorea is a small in the Depressariidae, distributed across western North America from the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. The exhibits distinctive patterning with a longitudinal dividing separating dark and light areas. are active during summer months, with likely a single per year. Larval biology remains poorly documented for this species.

Acrobasis marmorea (2) (48379274012) by Ben Sale from Stevenage, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Vitula biviella (48379120466) by Ben Sale from Stevenage, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Gypsonoma dealbana (48379121286) by Ben Sale from Stevenage, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ethmia marmorea: /ˈɛθ.mi.a mɑrˈmɔr.i.a/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Ethmia by the specific pattern of the longitudinal on the with its characteristic triangular , and the particular arrangement of whitish blotches along the . The combination of area and dark area is diagnostic within its range. May be confused with but differs in having upturned labial that project forward like horns between the .

Images

Appearance

length 8.4–11.7 mm. Forewings patterned with a longitudinal along the Cu fold that extends below as blunt, triangular at the one-fourth, middle, and area. area of forewing ; area costad of the line dark , usually with one or more ill-defined whitish blotches along the . whitish basally, becoming pale brownish on the half.

Habitat

Found in lower elevations of Great Basin mountain ranges and Rocky Mountains. Associated with dry, open in montane regions. Specific microhabitat preferences for unknown; attracted to light.

Distribution

North America: south-eastern British Columbia, eastern Pacific states (Washington, Oregon, California), northern and central Colorado, and central Chihuahua, Mexico. Range spans the lower elevations of the Great Basin mountain ranges and the Rocky Mountains.

Seasonality

on from May to August. Probably one per year.

Life Cycle

Probably (one per year). with , , , and stages. Larval biology and relationships not documented for this .

Behavior

are and attracted to light. Larval unknown.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Ethmia speciesSimilar size, coloration, and pattern; distinguished by specific details of the longitudinal and blotches
  • Tortricidae (leafroller moths)Similar resting posture and shape; distinguished by upturned labial in Ethmia

More Details

Taxonomic history

The Ethmia was formerly placed in but is now classified in Depressariidae. Family Ethmiidae is also used in some sources.

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Sources and further reading