Dioryctria gulosella

(Hulst, 1890)

Snout moth

Dioryctria gulosella is a small snout moth in the Pyralidae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1890. The is known from the western United States, with records from Colorado, New Mexico, and California. Like other members of its , it is likely associated with coniferous . have a wingspan of 21–27 mm.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dioryctria gulosella: //ˌdaɪəˈrɪktriə ˌɡuːloʊˈsɛlə//

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Dioryctria by the specific wing pattern: dark ash gray forewings with fine white dusting rather than bold markings or stripes, combined with white hindwings that are smoky only at the apex and termen. The relatively small size (21–27 mm wingspan) and western U.S. distribution help separate it from larger or eastern . Genitalia dissection may be required for definitive identification from closely related species.

Appearance

Small with wingspan of 21–27 mm. Forewings are dark gray with fine, sparse white dusting, giving an overall dark ash gray appearance. Hindwings are white, becoming smoky at the apex and along the termen. Body and wing shape typical of Pyralidae snout moths.

Distribution

United States: Colorado, New Mexico, and California.

Similar Taxa

Dioryctria auranticellaAnother western coneworm with overlapping distribution; D. auranticella typically has more contrasting orange or reddish markings on forewings
Dioryctria abietellaLarger with different forewing pattern; more widespread across North America
Other Dioryctria speciesMany share conifer-associated habits but differ in wing pattern details, size, and geographic range