Aristotelia roseosuffusella
(Clemens, 1860)
Pink-washed Aristotelia Moth, Clover Aristotelia Moth, Garden Webworm
Aristotelia roseosuffusella is a small gelechiid first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. The is commonly known as the pink-washed aristotelia, clover aristotelia moth, or garden webworm. It is native to eastern North America, with a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The forewings display a distinctive pattern of dark brown with roseate suffusion along the inner margin, combined with white spots and bands.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aristotelia roseosuffusella: //ˌærɪstoʊˈtiːliə ˌroʊziːoʊsʌfəˈsɛlə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other Aristotelia by the combination of roseate suffusion on the inner margin of the forewing and the specific pattern of white spots and bands. The white spot at the base containing a dark brown dot, the oblique white band near the base, and the roseate-tinted white band about the middle of the wing are diagnostic. Similar species in the Aristotelia may share the general twirler moth body plan but differ in coloration and pattern details.
Images
Distribution
Eastern North America: recorded from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Ontario (Canada), South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Additional records from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada, and Vermont in the United States.
Host Associations
- Clover - suggests larval association 'clover aristotelia ' and 'garden webworm' implies larval feeding on clover (Trifolium spp.) and other garden plants, though specific records require verification
Similar Taxa
- Aristotelia elegantellaAnother small Aristotelia in the same , but differs in wing pattern and coloration; A. elegantella lacks the distinctive roseate suffusion characteristic of A. roseosuffusella
- Other Aristotelia speciesApproximately 35 named of Aristotelia occur north of Mexico; many are undescribed. Identification to species requires examination of genitalia in many cases, though A. roseosuffusella has distinctive coloration
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Gelechia roseosuffusella by Clemens in 1860, later transferred to the Aristotelia. The genus Aristotelia belongs to the Aristoteliinae within the Gelechiidae.
Observation Frequency
The has been recorded 3,397 times on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively frequently encountered by observers in its range.