Frechinia laetalis

Distinguished from similar small crambid moths by its specific geographic range in western North America and association with Ambrosia host plants. Definitive identification requires examination of genitalia or molecular analysis.

Occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America where Ambrosia host plants grow.

Recorded from eastern Washington and Oregon south to Utah, southern California, and western Texas.

Adults have been recorded on wing from March to October.

Larvae feed on Ambrosia species (ragweeds). Adults: diet not documented.

• Ambrosia - larval host plantLarvae mine the leaves.

Larval stage mines leaves of Ambrosia host plants. Adult emergence spans March through October, suggesting multiple generations or extended emergence period.

Larvae are leaf miners, feeding internally within Ambrosia leaves rather than externally.

Herbivore specializing on Ambrosia species; contributes to leaf miner community in arid western North American habitats.

None documented. Not known as an agricultural pest.

• Other Frechinia speciesSimilar small size and crambid morphology; require genitalia examination for definitive separation.
• Other small OdontiinaeOverlap in size and general appearance; geographic distribution and host plant association aid identification.

• leaf miner
• Ambrosia
• western North America
• Crambidae
• Odontiinae

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