Species Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Identification · Range · Food · Life Cycle · Internet References

hammock on Chasmanthium latifolium - Idioglossa miraculosa

Roan Island leaf feeder on Commelina virginica D4030 2022 1 - Idioglossa miraculosa

Roan Island leaf feeder on Commelina virginica D4030 2022 3 - Idioglossa miraculosa

Tiny moth with fighter jet stance on underside of Walnut leaf - Idioglossa miraculosa

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 Gelechioidea (Twirler Moths and kin)

Family Epimarptidae

Genus Idioglossa

Species miraculosa (Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072)

Hodges Number

1072

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Idioglossa miraculosa (Frey, 1878)

Phylogenetic sequence #030850

Explanation of Names

The genus name means "unique tongue," refering to the adult moth's long maxillary tufts

Identification

Adult: Yellow with metallic fasciae on the hind wings only (our only microlep species to feature this), and its very distinctive resting posture, in which the wings are held partially spread at a characteristic angle.

Range

Moth Photographers Group – distribution & flight-period chart

Food

larva is a leaf skeletonizer of deer-tongue grass, Dichanthelium clandestinum, a plant found in low-lying deciduous forest

Life Cycle

There are two or three complete generations, with non-wintering larvae present from May through late August. The largest numbers of individuals occur in August

Internet References

Moth Photographers Group – images of live and pinned adults

BOLD Systems - images of pinned DNA supported specimens

Illustrated Guide to Microlepidoptera - detailed description and life cycle

Contributed by Tim Loh on 21 March, 2009 - 11:52pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz, ceiseman, Robert Lord Zimlich
Last updated 3 December, 2015 - 9:37pm

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