Eupithecia owenata
McDunnough, 1944
Eupithecia owenata is a small in the Geometridae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1944. It belongs to the large Eupithecia, commonly known as pug moths. The is restricted to the southwestern United States and has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to pollination services.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eupithecia owenata: /juːˌpɪˈθiːʃə oʊˈweɪnətə/
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Identification
Members of the Eupithecia are readily recognized by their narrow wings and unique resting posture. -level identification within this genus typically requires examination of genitalia characters.
Appearance
Wingspan approximately 23 mm. As a member of the Eupithecia, it has narrow wings and a characteristic resting posture.
Habitat
Found in dry, mixed conifer forest with oaks at elevations around 7,000 feet in the southwestern United States.
Distribution
Southwestern United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Seasonality
have been recorded on wing from June to August.
Ecological Role
Has been observed visiting apple flowers, contributing to pollination. Eupithecia caterpillars generally specialize on particular plants, though the specific host for this is not documented.
Human Relevance
Contributes to pollination of apple crops, as documented in a 2021 study on apple pollination in Arkansas.
Similar Taxa
- Other Eupithecia speciesMany Eupithecia are morphologically similar and require genitalia examination for definitive identification; E. owenata is distinguished by its southwestern U.S. distribution.