Redectis vitrea

Small size (wingspan ~18 mm) and scalloped forewing margin are distinctive features. The specific epithet 'vitrea' (meaning 'of glass' or 'glassy') may refer to translucent or pale wing markings, though this interpretation is speculative. Distinguishing from congeners requires examination of genitalia or detailed wing pattern analysis not available in general sources.

Wingspan approximately 18 mm. Forewings with scalloped outer margin. Ground coloration and pattern details not explicitly documented in available sources.

Occupies terrestrial habitats supporting larval host plants. Associated with areas containing Elaeagnus umbellata, Ceanothus americanus, and Digitaria species.

Eastern and central United States: from Illinois east to south-eastern Massachusetts, south to Texas and Florida.

Adults active June through October. Two generations per year documented in Virginia; phenology may vary across range.

Larvae feed on Elaeagnus umbellata (autumn olive), Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea), and Digitaria species (crabgrass). Adult feeding habits not documented.

• Elaeagnus umbellata - larval food plant
• Ceanothus americanus - larval food plant
• Digitaria - larval food plantspecies-level identification not specified

Bivoltine (two generations annually) in Virginia; complete life cycle details otherwise undocumented.

Larval herbivore; specific ecosystem functions not documented.

• Redectis pygmaeaCongener with overlapping eastern North American distribution; requires genitalia examination for reliable separation
• Other Herminiinae litter mothsSimilar small size and cryptic coloration; identification to species requires detailed morphological examination

• litter moth
• herbivore
• bivoltine
• eastern North America

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life