Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29


Previous events
TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Tortricid Moths (Tortricoidea) » Tortricid Moths (Tortricidae) » Olethreutinae » Olethreutini » Aterpia » Sparkling Aterpia - Hodges#2748 (Aterpia approximana)

Species Aterpia approximana - Sparkling Aterpia - Hodges#2748

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
black-and-blue moth - Aterpia approximana Sparkling Aterpia - Aterpia approximana Sparkling Aterpia - Aterpia approximana Unidentified Olethreutine Moth 2 - Aterpia approximana Unidentified Olethreutine Moth 2 - Aterpia approximana Dark brown moth w blue specks - Aterpia approximana Aterpia approximana - Sparkling Aterpia - Aterpia approximana Sparkling Aterpia - Aterpia approximana
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Tortricoidea (Tortricid Moths)
Family Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
Subfamily Olethreutinae
Tribe Olethreutini
Genus Aterpia
Species approximana (Sparkling Aterpia - Hodges#2748)
Hodges Number
2748
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Aterpia approximana (Heinrich, 1919)
Esia approximana (Heinrich, 1919) (1)
Olethreutes approximana Heinrich, 1919
Explanation of Names
Specific epithet from Latin approximans meaning "approaching" as it "resembles very strikingly O. cyanana Murtfeldt."
Numbers
Aterpia approximana is the only species in this genus found in North America.
Size
Heinrich (1919) and Heinrich (1926)(1) listed the wingspan 12-13 mm.
Identification
Heinrich (1919) original description as Olethreutes approximana, and Heinrich (1926)(1) revised description as Esia approximana are online and linked in the print references.
Forewing black, liberally sprinkled with bright blue spots and blotches.
Genitalia:
Range
Moth Photographers Group map (2)
Holotype male from USA, New York, Rensselaer (Dr. E.P. Felt).
Habitat
Wet prairie, damp flood plains.
Season
There are records from April to October with the main flight period June to August. (2)
Food
The larvae feed on leaves of fringed loosestrife L. (Lysimachia ciliata) and perhaps other Lysimachia species.
See Also
Hedya cyanana (Murtfeldt, 1880)
Print References
Gilligan, Wright & Gibson, 2008. Olethreutine Moths of the Midwestern United States. Ohio Biological Survey: 51.23. (3)
Heinrich, C., 1919. A new Olethreulid from New York (Lepidoptera). Insecutor Inscitiae Menstruus 7: 65.
Heinrich, C., 1926. Revision of the North American moths of the subfamily Laspeyresiinae and Olethreutinae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 132: 109; fig. 414. (1)
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group (2)
The Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) (4)
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) (5)
Carl Heinrich
Works Cited
1.Revision of the North American moths of the subfamilies Laspeyresiinae and Olethreutinae
Carl Heinrich. 1926. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 132: 1-216.
2.North American Moth Photographers Group
3.Olethreutine Moths of the Midwestern United States, An Identification Guide
Gilligan, Todd M., Donald J. Wright, and Loran D. Gibson. 2008. Ohio Biological Survey, P.O. Box 21370, Columbus, Ohio 43221-0370.
4.BOLD: The Barcode of Life Data Systems
5.Butterflies of North America
Contributed by Robin McLeod on 7 September, 2005 - 11:44pm
Additional contributions by Maury Heiman, Randy Hardy, Robert H. Biagi
Last updated 18 October, 2023 - 4:17pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact