Dioryctria caesirufella

Blanchard & Knudson, 1983

Dioryctria caesirufella is a snout moth in the Pyralidae, described from Texas in 1983. The exhibits in forewing length. Its forewings display a distinctive bluish-grey ground color with reddish dusting. The larval plant is possibly bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), though this association requires confirmation.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dioryctria caesirufella: /daɪˌɒrɪkˈtriːə siːzaɪruːˈfɛlə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Dioryctria by the combination of bluish-grey forewing ground color with reddish dusting, and the specific wing length ranges for each sex. The ochreous grey hindwings with darker outer margin provide additional diagnostic characters. Identification to species level may require examination of genitalia.

Appearance

Forewings 7.2–10.4 mm in males, 8.3–10.5 mm in females. Forewing ground color bluish-grey with reddish dusting. Hindwings ochreous grey, darker along outer margin. Labial palps enlarged and projecting forward, typical of snout moths.

Distribution

Known only from the US state of Texas. Specific locality details beyond state level are not documented in available sources.

Diet

Larvae possibly feed on Taxodium distichum (bald cypress).

Host Associations

Taxodium distichum - possible larval Association tentative; stated as 'possibly feeds on' in original description

Similar Taxa

Dioryctria auranticellaAnother conifer-feeding Dioryctria , but D. auranticella has orange-tinged forewings and feeds in ponderosa pine cones rather than possibly on bald cypress
Other Dioryctria speciesMany Dioryctria are conifer cone and shoot borers; D. caesirufella is distinguished by its unique forewing coloration and possible association with Taxodium rather than Pinus

More Details

Taxonomic history

Described by André Blanchard and Edward C. Knudson in 1983. The epithet 'caesirufella' presumably refers to the bluish-grey (caesius) and reddish (rufus) wing colors.

Data limitations

This is poorly known beyond the original description. Only 29 observations recorded in iNaturalist as of source date, suggesting it is rarely encountered or underreported.