Ethmiidae
Guides
Ethmia
Ethmia is a large genus of small gelechioid moths comprising over 250 described species globally. The genus serves as the type genus for family Ethmiidae (sometimes treated as subfamily within Elachistidae or Oecophoridae). Species are characterized by distinctive black, white, and gray patterned forewings, and most larvae feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family, with Gesneriaceae recorded as an additional host family in the Neotropics. The genus exhibits greatest diversity in arid and semi-arid regions, with substantial radiations in southwestern North America and the Neotropics.
Ethmia arctostaphylella
Ethmia arctostaphylella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly Depressariidae), distributed across the western United States and Mexico. Adults have forewings measuring 8.4–11.7 mm, with a distinctive color pattern of dark gray on the costal half and whitish gray on the dorsal half, separated by a longitudinal line and marked with black spots. The species exhibits an extended flight period from February to October. Larvae are specialized feeders on Eriodictyon species (yerba santa), a relationship that shapes its geographic distribution.
Ethmia bittenella
Ethmia bittenella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae (formerly Depressariidae), distributed across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and northwestern Costa Rica. Adults exhibit distinctive wing patterning with metallic blue reflections. The species shows pronounced seasonality, with adult activity concentrated in spring and summer months. Larval biology remains incompletely documented, with possible association with Ehretia anacua.
Ethmia burnsella
Ethmia burnsella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae), described by Powell in 1973. It is known only from northern Texas in the United States. The species is characterized by distinctive wing coloration with pale ocherous forewings featuring contrasting dark markings. Like other members of the genus Ethmia, it likely has larvae that feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family or related families, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Ethmia delliella
Ladder-backed Ethmia Moth
Ethmia delliella, commonly known as the ladder-backed ethmia moth, is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (sometimes placed in Depressariidae). Adults have a forewing length of 9–12 mm with distinctive black-and-white patterning that reflects metallic steel blue. The species ranges from the Gulf region of Texas and Mexico southward through Central America to Costa Rica. Adults are active from March to October in Texas and April to August elsewhere, with multiple generations per year.
Ethmia epileuca
Ethmia epileuca is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in southern California and Tucson, Arizona. Adults are active in late winter and early spring, with flight period from February through April. The species exhibits distinctive wing patterning with a straight longitudinal line dividing brown or gray-brown upper and white lower forewing areas.
Ethmia lassenella
Ethmia lassenella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae, found in the western United States. Adults are active in early spring, with a distinctive appearance featuring steel gray forewings marked with bright red-orange and black spots, and white hindwings with a broad black marginal band. The species is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species occurring north of Mexico, most of which are concentrated in the southwestern United States.
Ethmia monachella
Ethmia monachella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, known from Colorado and Oklahoma in the United States. The species was described by August Busck in 1910. Adults have distinctive wing patterning with contrasting dark and light markings typical of the genus. The genus Ethmia is notable for its larval specialization on plants in the Boraginaceae family and related families.
Ethmia nadia
Ethmia nadia is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It is endemic to California, where adults are active in spring and early summer. The larvae feed on Phacelia ramosissima, a plant in the Boraginaceae family.
Ethmia nivosella
Ethmia nivosella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications), distributed across the West Indies from Jamaica and eastern Cuba to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, with possible occurrence in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad. The species exhibits distinctive metallic purplish-bronze coloration on the forewings against a whitish hindwing ground color. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight records from January to March, July, and October depending on location.
Ethmia semiombra
Ethmia semiombra is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications) found in Texas and Mexico. Adults exhibit a distinctive wing pattern with dark coloration on the costal half of the forewings contrasting with whitish, gray-tinged dorsal half. The species shows pronounced seasonality with adults active in February, May, June, September (Texas), and July (Tamaulipas), suggesting multiple generations per year. Two subspecies are recognized: E. s. semiombra in eastern Mexico and southern Texas, and E. s. nebulombra in the Yucatán.
Ethmia submissa
Ethmia submissa is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, found in the Caribbean and southern Florida. The species is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species known north of Mexico, with most occurring in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight times varying by region. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern that distinguishes it from similar congeners.
Ethmia zelleriella
Zeller's Ethmia Moth
Ethmia zelleriella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae or Coleophoridae) found in eastern North America. Adults are active primarily in spring and early summer, with evidence of a second generation in some regions. The species is associated with oak woodlands and foothill habitats, where larvae feed on Phacelia species (Boraginaceae). The moth has distinctive black-and-white patterned forewings and is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species occurring north of Mexico.
Pyramidobela
Pyramidobela is a genus of small moths described by Braun in 1923. Its familial placement has been disputed; it was originally described in Ethmiidae, later transferred to Oecophoridae, and some sources place it in Depressariidae. The genus contains seven described species distributed in western North America. The genus name refers to the pyramid-shaped scales found on the wings of some species.