Primitive-lepidoptera

Guides

• Korscheltellus gracilis

  Conifer Swift Moth

  Korscheltellus gracilis, the Conifer Swift Moth, is a hepialid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active at dusk and exhibit a primitive mating system where males form aerial lek swarms to attract females. Larvae are root-feeders primarily associated with coniferous trees, particularly balsam fir and red spruce, though they can survive on deciduous hosts. The species is considered a forest pest due to larval damage to tree roots and associated pathogen entry points.

  Hepialidaeghost-mothswift-mothroot-feederconifer-pestlekkingprimitive-Lepidopteraforest-pestVermonteastern-North-Americabalsam-firred-sprucenocturnaldusk-activityaerial-swarmmate-choice