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Photo#1239647
Moth from oak catkins - Chionodes

Moth from oak catkins - Chionodes
Phelps Park, Winneshiek County, Iowa, USA
June 15, 2016
Emerged on 14 June from a batch rearing. At least five other similar moths emerged between 14 and 16 June. Host vegetation was catkins of oak (Quercus sp., either Q. rubra or Q. macrocarpa). Some observations on the caterpillar stage (same rearing) here:


Pupa:


Other adult:



While I photographed it, this individual seemed very interested in shadowy hiding-places; it escaped me several times and each time had a knack for quickly finding very narrow crevices in which to hide. The last time it found a crevice (a seam of caulk separating from a window frame), it ran along the wall up to the crevice and then backed into it, which I thought was interesting.

Images of this individual: tag all
Moth from oak catkins - Chionodes Moth from oak catkins - Chionodes Moth from oak catkins - Chionodes Moth from oak catkins - Chionodes Moth from oak catkins - Chionodes

Moved
Moved from Twirler Moths.

Area moth guys
Kyle Johnson and Jim Durbin took at look at this BG post and both said the moth is probably a Chionodes sp. Jim suggested C. formosella and Kyle C. fuscomaculella, but they both emphasized that they were not confident on the species ID because this genus can be very difficult to sort out. I'll move it to Chionodes for now. A quick internet search did not turn up any publicly accessible references about Chionodes caterpillars feeding on oak catkins.

 
I have the MONA Chionodes fascicle
But won't have it on-hand until mid-January. If you remind me then, I can look for records on oak catkins.

 
Hi Kyhl
Any chance you've been able to check MONA for this moth?

 
Yes, but without dissection everything is tentative.
Externally, the closest I can find is C. thoraceochrella. Hodges says this species is a leaf tier on various species of oaks and "questionable" records from Liquidambar catkins (GA and MD). He also states that it may be one of the most common Chionodes in the east.

 
Interesting
Thank you so much for taking the time to look into this. Perhaps we should wait to move it to species for now? I'd be happy to try to rear it again this spring (it was a pretty easy rearing) and retain some specimens this time. Do you happen to know of anyone who might be willing to do a dissection, if I am able to get adults again?

 
Awesome
Thanks so much Kyhl!

Moved

Moved

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