Chionodes praeclarella explained

Chionodes praeclarella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in most of North America.[1] It also is found in Europe, where the range is limited to Austria, Switzerland and Italy.[2]

The wingspan is 18–20 mm. The forewings are light brown, with a strong purplish sheen, especially towards the apex. The exterior edge of the cell and the apical veins are roughly indicated by ill-defined, purplish-black longitudinal lines, more or less confluent towards the apex. The hindwings are light fuscous.[3]

The larvae have been recorded feeding on Polygonaceae species.

Notes and References

  1. http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=2075 mothphotographersgroup
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305194634/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=437350 Fauna Europaea
  3. https://archive.org/stream/canadianentomolo40ento#page/194/mode/1up Can. Ent. 40 (6) : 194