Gnorimoschema subterranea

Busck, 1911

Gnorimoschema subterranea is a small in the Gelechiidae, described by August Busck in 1911. The is notable for its larval habit of forming stem galls at or beneath ground level on Aster species. It is distributed across North America from Massachusetts to California and north into Alberta and British Columbia.

Gnorimoschema subterranea by (c) Garth Harwood, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Garth Harwood. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gnorimoschema subterranea: //ˌnɔɹɪmoʊˈskɛmə ˌsʌbtəˈɹeɪniə//

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Gnorimoschema by the combination of: forewing coloration in rust to brick red range; specific association with Aster plants; and stem galls formed at or below ground level. The specific epithet 'subterranea' references this subterranean gall-forming habit. Male forewings are slightly longer on average than those of females, though ranges overlap.

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Appearance

Forewings measure 8.1-10.5 mm in males and 7.3-10.1 mm in females. Forewing coloration ranges from rust to deep ebony brown or bright brick red. Hindwings are yellowish fuscous.

Habitat

Associated with open supporting Aster . Larval habitat is specifically the subterranean or near-ground-level portions of Aster stems where galls are formed.

Distribution

North America: recorded from Massachusetts, Colorado, California, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Diet

Larvae feed on Aster multiflorus, Aster ericoides, and Aster chilensis. : feeding habits unknown.

Host Associations

  • Aster multiflorus - larval stem galls formed at or beneath ground level
  • Aster ericoides - larval stem galls formed at or beneath ground level
  • Aster chilensis - larval stem galls formed at or beneath ground level

Life Cycle

Larvae create stem galls at or beneath ground level on Aster . presumably occurs within galls. timing unknown.

Behavior

Larvae induce subterranean stem galls on plants, a distinctive habit reflected in the epithet 'subterranea'.

Ecological Role

As a gall-former, modifies plant tissue to create protected larval chambers. Potential role in nutrient cycling through gall formation on Aster .

Similar Taxa

  • Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginisAlso a gall-former on Asteraceae, but creates elongate galls on goldenrod (Solidago) stems above ground level rather than subterranean galls on Aster.

More Details

Etymology

The specific epithet 'subterranea' directly references the ' distinctive habit of forming galls at or beneath ground level, a trait that distinguishes it from many related gall-forming .

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Sources and further reading