Pseuderotis obiterella
(Busck, 1908)
A small in the Depressariidae, described by August Busck in 1908. It is restricted to the southeastern United States, with records from six states. have a wingspan of 20–26 mm and distinctive white forewings dusted with brown forming specific dot patterns. The is poorly known, with few observations and limited published information on its .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pseuderotis obiterella: /sjuːdɛrˈoʊtɪs ɒbɪtəˈrɛlə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from similar small white by the specific pattern of brown dots on the forewing: one in the , one at the end of the cell, and a larger one on the submedian fold between them. The indistinct submarginal powdering and terminal row of small dots provide additional diagnostic characters. The placement in Depressariidae (sometimes treated as Peleopodidae or Oecophoridae in older sources) requires genitalic examination for definitive confirmation.
Images
Appearance
have a wingspan of 20–26 mm. Forewings are white with brown dusting that forms three distinct dots: one in the , one at the end of the cell, and a larger one halfway between these on the submedian fold. An indistinct submarginal powdering and a terminal row of small dots are also present.
Distribution
Southeastern United States: recorded from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
Similar Taxa
- Other Pseuderotis speciesSimilar size and general appearance; require examination of wing pattern details and genitalia for separation.
- Small Oecophoridae/DepressariidaeOverlapping size range and white-winged ; -level identification requires specialized examination.
More Details
Family classification
This has been placed in Depressariidae, Peleopodidae, and Oecophoridae by different authorities. Current sources (iNaturalist, Catalogue of Life) favor Peleopodidae, while Wikipedia and GBIF list Depressariidae or Oecophoridae. This reflects ongoing taxonomic revision in the Gelechioidea.
Data deficiency
Only 9 observations recorded in iNaturalist as of source date, indicating this is a rarely encountered and poorly documented .