Pseudochelaria walsinghami

Dietz, 1900

Pseudochelaria walsinghami is a small gelechiid described by Dietz in 1900. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from 15 U.S. states. The has a wingspan of approximately 17 mm and exhibits distinctive forewing patterning with dark brown markings, a longitudinal stripe, and a whitish fascia. Larvae feed on staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), living under white silk webs on leaf undersides and along petioles.

Pseudochelaria walsinghami by (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel. Used under a CC-BY license.Pseudochelaria walsinghami by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Pseudochelaria walsinghami by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pseudochelaria walsinghami: //ˌsjuːdoʊkəˈlɛriə ˌwɔːlsɪŋˈhæmi//

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Images

Appearance

Wingspan approximately 17 mm. Forewings marked with dark, rich brown. Basal space limited externally by a sharply defined oblique line, twice as far from the base at the margin than at the costal margin. Longitudinal stripe begins at two-fifths of wing length, extending through the middle to the apex, sharply defined along dorsal margin but diffused with dark shading in costal half. Whitish fascia at beginning of cilia, interrupted by longitudinal stripe and gradually merging into dark apical shading; costal portion concave toward apex, dorsal portion straight and obliquely backward to dorsal margin. Apical part with dark lines radiating into cilia. space washed with brownish, slight golden reflection, darker in costal portion and toward apical fascia. Two brown spots in dorsal half at two-fifths and three-fifths of wing length, the spot surrounded by raised white . Hindwings pale fuscous, paler toward base.

Distribution

Recorded from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Diet

Larvae feed on Rhus typhina (staghorn sumac).

Host Associations

  • Rhus typhina - larval larvae live under white web on underside of leaflets and along petioles

Tags

Sources and further reading