Dejongia californicus

(Walsingham, 1880)

Gumweed Plume Moth

Dejongia californicus is a small ( Pterophoridae) known as the Gumweed Plume Moth. It occurs in western and southeastern North America. The wingspan ranges from 14–26 mm. Larvae feed on Asteraceae , particularly Isocoma veneta and Grindelia species. The was described by Walsingham in 1880.

Dejongia californicus 2432280 by Dominic. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Dejongia californicus 163208217 by blake hendon. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dejongia californicus: /dɛˈjɔŋɪə kælɪˈfɔrnɪkəs/

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Identification

Distinguished from other small plume moths by geographic association with gumweed (Grindelia) and goldenbush (Isocoma) plants. Specific wing venation and lobe structure differ from related Dejongia , though detailed diagnostic features require examination. The combination of small size, western North American distribution, and Asteraceae-feeding larvae helps separate it from superficially similar plume moths.

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Appearance

Small with wingspan of 14–26 mm. As a , wings are characteristically divided into lobes with fringed margins. have the typical T-shaped resting posture of Pterophoridae, with wings held out perpendicular to the body.

Habitat

Associated with supporting its larval plants in the Asteraceae , particularly gumweeds (Grindelia) and goldenbushes (Isocoma veneta). These include open, often disturbed areas, grasslands, and scrublands in western North America.

Distribution

North America: recorded from California and the southeastern United States. Distribution corresponds to range of plant .

Diet

Larvae feed on Asteraceae , specifically Isocoma veneta and Grindelia species. feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

  • Isocoma veneta - larval plantAsteraceae; goldenbush
  • Grindelia - larval plantAsteraceae; gumweed

Similar Taxa

  • Other Dejongia speciesCongeneric share and require examination of genitalia or wing venation for definitive identification.
  • Other small PterophoridaeMany plume moths overlap in size and general appearance; plant association and geographic range help distinguish D. californicus.

More Details

Nomenclature

The epithet is sometimes misspelled 'californicus' versus 'californicus' in older literature; the accepted spelling follows Walsingham's original description.

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Sources and further reading