Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Dyseriocrania auricyanea (Walsingham, 1882)
Micropteryx auricyanea Walsingham, 1882
(1)
Phylogenetic sequence #070002
Explanation of Names
Specific epithet from Latin
auri (shine like gold) and
Cyane, a mythological nymph, whose name means "dark blue."
Size
Forewing length 4.5-7.0 mm.
(2)
Mature larva to 8.5 mm.
(3)Identification
Adult - mottled golden, distinctly marked by shining purplish, most conspicuously by three regular, transverse bands slanted outward from the dorsal margin.
(2)
Larva - head dark brown, abdomen appearing whitish except for a minute pair of longitudinal, brownish spots.
(3)Range
Northern coast of California and northern Sierra Nevada to southern California and Santa Cruz Island.
(2)Food
Larvae are leaf miners of oaks
(2)Life Cycle
Oviposition usually on the tip of the leaf. Eggs hatch in a week or two. Larva goes quickly goes through at least four instars. First instar mine begins as a linear or slightly curved passage to the leaf margin. Later the mine is enlarged to a full length blotch. At maturity, the larva leaves the mine through a slit in the upper leaf and burrows into the litter, forming a silken cocoon covered with darker soil particles. The larva diapauses and then pupates in winter. Adults emerge in the late winter or early spring. Moths most active in the hours just before sunset.
(3)Print References
Walsingham, T. de Grey, 1882. Notes on Tineidae of North America.
Transactions of the American Entomological Society 10:
204 (1)Contributed by
Chris Grinter on 16 March, 2011 - 3:45pm
Additional contributions by
Randy HardyLast updated 24 November, 2017 - 1:18pm