Pyramidobela quinquecristata

Distinguished from similar Pyramidobela species by the specific pattern of longitudinal streaking on dark brown forewings, with ill-defined blackish and ochreous markings that become clearer on the terminal veins. The small size (8.2–9.2 mm forewing length) and Great Basin mountain distribution help separate it from other regional Ethmiidae.

Forewings 8.2–9.2 mm in length. Ground color dark brown, longitudinally streaked with blackish and ochreous markings that vary in density; streaks ill-defined except on veins in the terminal area. Hindwings pale gray-brown, slightly darker toward the apex.

Mountains around the margins of the Great Basin in western North America. Specific microhabitat preferences are not documented.

Western North America: mountains surrounding the Great Basin. Documented from British Columbia and California.

Adults active in June (British Columbia) and from August to early September (California). Bimodal flight pattern suggests possible geographic variation in phenology or partial bivoltinism.

Larvae feed on Penstemon species, specifically Penstemon confertus and Penstemon deustus.

• Penstemon confertus - larval host plant
• Penstemon deustus - larval host plant

Herbivore; larval feeding on Penstemon species contributes to plant-insect interactions in Great Basin mountain ecosystems.

• Other Pyramidobela speciesShared genus characteristics; P. quinquecristata distinguished by specific forewing pattern and documented Great Basin distribution
• Other EthmiidaeFamily-level resemblance in size and general morphology; identification requires examination of forewing streaking pattern and geographic range

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