Scrobipalpula artemisiella

Distinguished from similar gelechiids by the combination of: small size (9–11 mm wingspan); forewing pattern of ocherous/pink/terracotta ground with heavy gray-black overlay; three raised black scale dots in specific positions (costa at inner fourth, cell before outer end, median line beyond cell); and radiating streaks on apical third. Variation in ground color coverage requires examination of scale dot positions and streak patterns for reliable identification.

Small moth with wingspan of 9–11 mm. Forewings variable in ground color from ocherous to pink or terracotta, heavily overlaid with streaks and bands of mottled gray and black running parallel to the costa. Costa narrowly edged with gray-black secondary color; streak from base along median line curves into costa at one-half. Inner margin predominantly gray-black. Apical third with black and gray dots forming narrow streaks or dashes radiating to outer edge and extending over cilia. Three small black dots of raised scales present: one on costa at inner fourth, one in cell just before outer end, and one on median line beyond cell. Hindwings light gray. Considerable variation between specimens: some heavily overlaid with secondary color reducing ground color to three narrow streaks; others with ground color occupying more than half of inner half.

Associated with host plant Artemisia canadensis; specific habitat preferences beyond host occurrence not documented.

United States: recorded from California, Arizona, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, and Ohio. Distribution spans western, southwestern, midwestern, and northeastern regions.

Larvae feed on Artemisia canadensis.

• Artemisia canadensis - larval food plantLarvae web together terminal leaves and partially excavate twig tips, feeding close to leaf bases.

Larval stage feeds on Artemisia canadensis. Specific details of egg, pupal, and adult emergence periods not documented.

Larvae construct webs by tying together terminal leaves of host plant. Larvae partially excavate twig tips and feed close to leaf bases.

Herbivore on Artemisia canadensis; specific ecological impacts not documented.

• Other Scrobipalpula speciesSimilar size and wing patterns; requires examination of specific spot positions and genitalia for definitive separation.
• Other GelechiidaeMany small gelechiids share mottled forewing patterns; S. artemisiella distinguished by specific arrangement of three raised black scale dots and radiating apical streaks.

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon