Numbers
4 species in the genus: L. abroniaeella, L. elegans, L. jubarella, and L. mirabilinella.
Size
Microlepidoptera: FW lengths range from 2.8 to 5 mm, rarely to 8mm
Identification
Tiny, iridescent, diurnal moths, with distinctive raised, gem-like, lead- or silver-colored bumps on their forewings. When seen from behind, these bumps give the impression of the eyes of a jumping spider (Salticidae). Unlike many species in the family Heliodinidae, the adults of
Lithariapteryx do
not hold their legs aloft when perched
(1)Range
Western US and northwestern Mexico
Habitat
Sandy situations in association with their host plants Abronia ("sand verbena") and Mirabilis ("four o'clock" or "wishbone bush").
Food
Larvae are facultative leaf miners of Abronia or Mirabilis, both in the Four O'Clock family, Nyctaginaceae. Each species is primarily or exclusively associated with either Abronia or Mirabilis, but uses two or more species within the given genus.
Adults also principally found on Abronia and Mirabilis...but also recorded on plants in the following genera: Senecio, Hazardia Eriophyllum, Tetradymia (all in the Asteraceae), Croton, Larrea, Eriogonum, Erysimum, Hyptis, and Mesembryanthemum (a non-native "Ice Plant").
Remarks
Descriptions, general biology, keys, and illustrations for the genus appear in Powell (1991), see "Print References" below.
One of the four currently recognized species, Lithariapteryx mirabilinella Comstock, is suspected to be a seasonal or geographical form of Lithariapteryx abroniaeella Chambers. Again, see Powell (1991) in "Print References" below.
Print References
Powell, J. A. 1991. A review of
Lithariapteryx (Heliodinidae), with description of an elegant new species from coastal sand dunes in California. Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 45(2):
89-104
Powell & Opler
(2), pg. 110
Internet References
All four species are represented by California specimens among the
Essig Museum records for Lithariapteryx.