Species Cosmopterix opulenta - Hodges#1483

1483

Cosmopterix opulenta Braun, 1919 (1)

Cosmopteryx opulenta Braun, 1919

Phylogenetic sequence #043700

Forewing length: 3.3-3.6 mm (2) (3)

Labial Palps: first segment very short, white, second segment four-fifths of the length of third, shining dark brown with white longitudinal lines laterally and ventrally, third segment white, lined dark brown laterally.

Antennae: dark brown with a white line from base to beyond one-half, followed towards apex by five dark brown segments, six white, two dark brown, two white, two dark brown, two white, six dark brown and eight white segments at apex.

Forewing: Pale yellowish transverse fascia beyond the middle, bordered at the inner edge by two subcostal and a subdorsal tubercular silver metallic spots, the subdorsal spot slightly further from base than the subcostal, the subcostal with a patch of blackish scales on the outside, at two-thirds of the transverse fascia. (2)

NOTE: For a more detailed description, see Wikipedia species page or read Koster (2010).

Known from the United States (California, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico), and Costa Rica. (2) (3)

Distribution & Flight-period Chart (4)

Mines have been collected in October, while adults appeared in April of the following year. Adults have also been collected from June to July and September to October. There are two generations per year. (2) (3)

Larvae feed on ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya, and California Mugwort Artemisia douglasiana. (2) (3) (1)

"The larvae are leaf miners. The way of living of the larva is stated by Braun (1919) (1) as follows: 'the mines extend principally along the midrib, with irregular projections branching out on either side. The larva spins a cocoon on the densely pubescent under side of the leaf, constructed of silk, and the whitish pubescence of the leaf." (3)

Moth Photographers Group – species page (4)

BOLD Systems - images of DNA supported specimens (5)

Wikipedia - brief description (2)