Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Atteva aurea (
Fitch, 1857). Taxonomic notes:
This moth belongs to a species complex that was recently split; see Wilson 2010 in references.
Deiopeia aurea Fitch, 1857 = Atteva aurea is the proper name for the North American temperate forest moths
Tinea pustulella Fabricius = Atteva pustulella is now restricted to the tropical rainforest species
Phalaena Tinea punctella Stoll, 1781 = Atteva punctella was commonly used for this species but was never valid because it was a junior homonym of Phalaena puntcella Linnaeus. It also refers to the tropical species.
Authorship of
P. punctella is sometimes listed as
Cramer, 1781. Cramer died before his description was officially published.
Explanation of Names
Aurea means golden.
Former species name
punctella is from Latin
punct a sting or prick, plus suffix
ella small
(1), referring to spots on wings.
Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America listed at All-Leps
Identification
Adult: forewing orange with several large black and white rosettes with some variability which has led to many different names
(2). Covell notes that the Florida population has smaller spots and was previously considered a separate species (
Atteva floridana)
(3). Hindwing translucent black. The bright pattern of the forewings is likely
aposematic in this subfamily (Kristensen, 1999).
Range
From Ontario and New York south to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas, and south into Mexico, common
(3)(2).
Habitat
Larvae are found in webs in
Ailanthus (2). Adults found taking nectar from flowers.
Season
adults fly from March to November
(3)Food
Adults take nectar of flowers in old-field habitats. Larvae feed on leaves of
Ailanthus and paradise trees
(3) and other deciduous trees and shrubs
(4).
Life Cycle
Larvae live in communal webs
(3). One generation a year
(4). The main larval food plant (
Ailanthus altissima) is also known as
Tree of Heaven, Stinking Sumac, Copal Tree, or Varnish Tree, and occurs throughout most of United States and southern Canada, often planted as an ornamental in urban areas. The tree is native to Asia, and is an invasive species in North America, but the moth is native, and its range has increased, presumably, since the introduction of the tree.
See Also
At first sight, this species is often mistaken for a beetle because of its bright colors and habit of visiting flowers in the daytime.
Compare Atteva aurea (left) with its mimic (right)
Print References
Arnett, page 677, with a black and white photograph (figure 27.48)
(2)
Borror, entries for
punct,
ella (1)
Covell, page 431, color plate 61 (#13) and B&W plate 62 (#5)
(3)
Kristensen (1999). Handbook of Zoology--Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies vol. 1: 122
GoogleBooks
Milne and Milne, Audubon Guide to North American Insects, plate #552, page 709
(4)
Wilson, J.J. et al, "Identity of the ailanthus webworm moth (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), a complex of two species: evidence from DNA barcoding, morphology and ecology."
ZooKeys Article (2010)
Internet References
live adult images plus description, larval foodplant, flight dates (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
pinned adult image (Clemson U., South Carolina)
classification of Atteva in family Yponomeutidae (Butterflies and Moths of the World)
