Ethmia semitenebrella

Dyar, 1902

Ethmia semitenebrella is a in the Depressariidae, first described by Dyar in 1902. It is distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with a period from April to August. The is characterized by distinct wing patterning with dark gray forewing costal halves contrasting with whitish gray halves. Larvae feed on Cercocarpus ledifolius and likely other Cercocarpus species.

Ethmia semitenebrella by (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette. Used under a CC-BY license.

Ethmia semitenebrella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ethmia semitenebrella: /ˈɛθ.mi.ə ˌsɛm.i.tɛ.nəˈbrɛl.lə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Ethmia by the combination of: forewing with dark gray costal half and whitish gray half; longitudinal whitish streaks on costal half more pronounced beyond the middle of the wing; hindwings pale basally with brownish half. Similar species in the require examination of genitalia for definitive separation.

Images

Habitat

Associated with supporting plant Cercocarpus ledifolius, typically dry, rocky slopes and woodlands in montane and foothill regions.

Distribution

North America: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, southern and eastern California (USA); Nuevo León (Mexico).

Seasonality

active April to August; two per year ().

Diet

Larvae feed on Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany, Rosaceae); probably also other Cercocarpus .

Host Associations

Cercocarpus ledifolius - larval food plantprimary
Cercocarpus - larval food plantprobable additional

Life Cycle

with two annually. Complete : , larva, pupa, . Larval stage feeds on plant foliage.

Behavior

are attracted to light. Larval feeding occurs on plant foliage.

Ecological Role

Herbivore; larval stage contributes to nutrient cycling through consumption of Cercocarpus foliage.

Human Relevance

No significant economic or medical importance recorded. Occasionally encountered by lepidopterists and naturalists.

Similar Taxa

Ethmia discostrigellaSimilar size and general appearance; distinguished by forewing pattern details and geographic distribution (discostrigella occurs in oak woodlands and foothills, associated with Mountain Mahogany in Boraginaceae)
Other Ethmia speciesMany in share black, white, and gray coloration; definitive identification often requires genitalia dissection

More Details

Taxonomic history

The Ethmia was formerly placed in Coleophoridae, but is now classified in Depressariidae ( Ethmiinae) based on molecular and morphological studies.

Genus characteristics

Ethmia are relatively large for microlepidoptera (10–15 mm forewing length), with larvae feeding predominantly on plants in Boraginaceae, Ehretiaceae, and Hydrophyllaceae. Approximately 50 species occur north of Mexico, with highest diversity in the southwestern United States.