Gnorimoschema ericameriae explained

Gnorimoschema ericameriae is a moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Keifer in 1933. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from California.[1] [2]

The wingspan is 11–15 mm. There are greyish-white or whitish scales on the forewings. The forewings are crossed by a blackish shade just before the tip and the dorsal area is lighter. There is sparse pinkish irroration throughout the wing on lighter areas and a dark shade of dark grey and brown crossing the wing near base. Touching this and at the costal one-fifth, a diagonal light fascia runs to the fold and fuses with the dorsal area at a conspicuous pink spot at one-third. This fascia is bordered outwardly by a dark grey shade which runs to the center of the wing and is from there roughly continued as a jagged dark central line (interrupted by stigmata) to within the apex. Above this central line a curved light streak runs down from the costa at one-third and returns at the costal cilia, enclosing a dark grey area, the center of which is just beyond one-half. Within the apical margin, a grey streak fuses with the central line. The plical stigma is an obscure black spot with some brown scales at about one-third and the first and second discals are black spots in a curved light streak surrounded by brown scales at just beyond one-third and one-half. There are some black dots around the apex. The hindwings are grey with slight pinkish reflections.

The larvae feed on Ericameria ericoides, living in a small rather round, apically pointed, terminal gall. The larvae have a sordid creamy-white body with pinkish fuscous above and with a dull brownish head.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gelechioidea/gelechiidae/gelechiinae/gnorimoschema/ funet.fi
  2. http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=1982 mothphotographersgroup
  3. https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ppd/PDF/Bulletin1933_CaliforniaMicrolepidopteraVI.pdf Calif. Dept. Agric., Mon. Bull. 22 : 361