Coelopoeta phaceliae
Kaila, 1995
Coelopoeta phaceliae is a small gelechioid described in 1995 from California specimens. The is to California, where it occurs in central and northern regions at moderate elevations. Its larvae are leaf miners on Phacelia species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Coelopoeta phaceliae: //siːˌloʊpɔɪˈtiːˌfəˈsiːli.aɪ//
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Identification
Small size (forewings 4.5–6 mm) and densely mottled ochreous-brown forewings distinguish this . Distinguished from sympatric C. glutinosi by specific plant associations and presumably by genitalia (not detailed in original description).
Habitat
Collected at elevations of 3,500–6,100 feet (1,100–1,900 m) in mountainous regions of northern and central California. Associated with Phacelia plants.
Distribution
to California, USA. Documented from Fandango Pass (Modoc County), San Bruno Mountains (San Mateo County), nine miles east of McCloud (Siskiyou County), three miles northwest of Portola (Plumas County), and one mile south of Meadow Valley (Plumas County).
Seasonality
from cocoons recorded from 7 May to 23 July. Larvae collected in mid-June (12–13 June 1970).
Diet
Larvae are leaf miners on Phacelia , including P. californica, P. hastata × mutabilis, P. procera, and P. mutabilis. diet unknown.
Host Associations
- Phacelia californica - larval plant
- Phacelia hastata × mutabilis - larval plant
- Phacelia procera - larval plant
- Phacelia mutabilis - larval plant
Life Cycle
Larva mines leaves of Phacelia. Pupa formed in cocoon. emerges from cocoon. Specific duration of stages unknown.
Behavior
Larvae are leaf miners. No other described.
Ecological Role
Herbivore; on Phacelia . Potential as .
Human Relevance
None documented. Known only from scientific collections.
Similar Taxa
- Coelopoeta glutinosiSympatric in California; distinguished by plant associations and presumably
More Details
Type specimen
male reared from caterpillar collected 12–13 June 1970 at Fandango Pass, Modoc County, California, at 6,100 ft elevation; emerged 7 July 1970. Deposited at Essig Museum of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley.
Taxonomic history
Described by Lauri Kaila in 1995. placement varies between Pterolonchidae (Catalogue of Life, iNaturalist) and Elachistidae (NCBI).
Collection history
Specimens known from collections dating to at least 1962, though not formally described until 1995.