Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Epiblema otiosana (Clemens, 1860)
Monosphragis otiosana Clemens, 1860
(1)
Paedisca inclinana Zeller, 1875
Explanation of Names
Species name
otiosana appears to be derived from Latin
otios meaning "lazy."
(2).
Common name from the host plant.
Identification
Forewing mixed gray, brown, and black; large silvery-white blotch extends inward from inner margin; large rounded whitish spot at anal angle usually inconspicuous because of dark speckling [description by Charles Covell].
Range
Maine and Ontario to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas.
Habitat
Stream banks, river floodplains, damp meadows.
Season
Adults fly from May to September.
Food
Larvae bore into the stems of
Bidens species (e.g. beggar-ticks and Spanish needles), ragweed, and smartweed (
Polygonum spp.).
(3)See Also
Eucosma parmatana is variable and can sometimes look quite similar to this species. See discussion
here.
Print References
Clemens, B. 1860. Contributions to American Lepidopterology. No. 6.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.12:
354.
(1)
Covell Jr., C.V. 1984. A field guide to the moths of eastern North America. p.416, plate 60 #3
(4)
Gilligan, T.M., D.J. Wright & L.D. Gibson 2008. Olethreutine Moths of the Midwestern United States. Bulletin of the Ohio Biological Survey 16(2): p.125.190
(5)
Zeller, P.C. 1876. Beiträge zur Kenntniss der nordamericanischen Nachtfalter, besonders der Microlepidopteren.
Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien. 25:
301;
pl. 9, fig. 32