Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Aterpia approximana (Heinrich, 1919)
Esia approximana (Heinrich, 1919)
(1)
Olethreutes approximana Heinrich, 1919
Explanation of Names
Specific epithet from Latin approximans meaning "approaching" as it "resembles very strikingly O. cyanana Murtfeldt."
Numbers
Aterpia approximana is the only species in this genus found in North America.
Size
Heinrich (1919) and Heinrich (1926)
(1) listed the wingspan 12-13 mm.
Identification
Heinrich (1919) original description as
Olethreutes approximana, and Heinrich (1926)
(1) revised description as
Esia approximana are online and linked in the print references.
Forewing black, liberally sprinkled with bright blue spots and blotches.
Genitalia:
Range
Holotype male from USA, New York, Rensselaer (Dr. E.P.
Felt).
Habitat
Wet prairie, damp flood plains.
Season
There are records from April to October with the main flight period June to August.
(2)Food
The larvae feed on leaves of
fringed loosestrife L. (
Lysimachia ciliata) and perhaps other
Lysimachia species.
Print References
Gilligan, Wright & Gibson, 2008.
Olethreutine Moths of the Midwestern United States. Ohio Biological Survey: 51.23.
(3)
Heinrich, C., 1919. A new Olethreulid from New York (Lepidoptera).
Insecutor Inscitiae Menstruus 7:
65.
Heinrich, C., 1926. Revision of the North American moths of the subfamily Laspeyresiinae and Olethreutinae.
Bulletin of the United States National Museum 132:
109; fig. 414.
(1)
