Ethmia semiombra

Dyar, 1902

Ethmia semiombra is a small in the Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications) found in Texas and Mexico. exhibit a distinctive wing pattern with dark coloration on the costal half of the forewings contrasting with whitish, gray-tinged half. The shows pronounced seasonality with adults active in February, May, June, September (Texas), and July (Tamaulipas), suggesting multiple per year. Two are recognized: E. s. semiombra in eastern Mexico and southern Texas, and E. s. nebulombra in the Yucatán.

Ethmia semiombra by (c) Cat, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cat. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ethmia semiombra: /ˈɛθ.mi.ə sɛˈmaɪ.om.brə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Ethmia by the specific pattern of dark costal and pale forewing halves. The sharp demarcation between wing color zones and the pale brownish half of the hindwings are key characters. Species in Ethmia are generally similar in black, white, and gray coloration but differ in precise wing pattern details; dissection of genitalia is often required for definitive identification.

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Appearance

Small with forewing length 9.2–11.7 mm. Forewings dark on costal half, whitish and lightly to heavily gray-tinged on half. Hindwings whitish basally, becoming pale brownish on half.

Distribution

Southern Texas (USA) and Mexico, including eastern Mexico, Tamaulipas, and Yucatán. E. s. semiombra occurs in eastern Mexico and southern Texas; E. s. nebulombra occurs in the Yucatán.

Seasonality

active February, May, June, and September in Texas; July in Tamaulipas. Multiple per year probable.

Diet

Larvae probably feed on Ehretia elliptica (Boraginaceae or Ehretiaceae).

Host Associations

  • Ehretia elliptica - probable larval plant placement varies between Boraginaceae and Ehretiaceae

Similar Taxa

  • Other Ethmia speciesSimilar black, white, and gray coloration; require examination of wing pattern details or genitalia for separation
  • Tortricid leafrolling mothsSuperficial resemblance in size and posture; distinguished by upturned labial palps in Ethmia (resembling horns between )

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Sources and further reading