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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Twirler Moths and kin (Gelechioidea) » Depressariidae » Depressariinae » Exaeretia » Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 (Exaeretia gracilis)

Species Exaeretia gracilis - Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Season · Food · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Elachistidae: Depressariodes gracilis? - Exaeretia gracilis Depressariodes gracilis ? - Exaeretia gracilis Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 - Exaeretia gracilis Depressariidae: Exaertia gracilis - Exaeretia gracilis Depressariidae: Exaertia gracilis - Exaeretia gracilis Depressariidae, leafminer on Maximilian Sunflower - Exaeretia gracilis Moth - Exaeretia gracilis Exaeretia gracilis - Exaeretia gracilis
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 Depressariidae
Subfamily Depressariinae
Genus Exaeretia
Species gracilis (Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902)
Hodges Number
0902
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Exaeretia gracilis (Walsingham, 1889)
Depressariodes gracilis Walsingham, 1889 (1)
Martyrhilda gracilis
Phylogenetic sequence #420116
Explanation of Names
Specific epithet is Latin meaning "slim" for the "rather narrow" forewings. (1)
It is unclear where the name "Ambrosia Seed Moth" came from, but it is inappropriate since this species is a leafminer rather than a seed feeder.
Size
Forewing length 6.7-9 mm. (2)
Identification
Adult - distinctive, pale yellow tan with base and prothorax dark brown. (2)
Larva - dark, almost black. (2)
Range
North Dakota to Texas and west to California. (2)
Season
Several broods in southern California with adults recorded nearly year round. May to June in northern areas of the range.
Food
Larvae mine the leaves of:
Ambrosia psilostachya (western ragweed) USDA Plant profile (3), (2)
Grindelia stricta (Oregon gumweed) USDA Plant profile (2)
Heterotheca grandiflora (telegraphweed) USDA Plant profile (2)
Print References
Powell, J.A. & P.A. 2009. Opler, Moths of Western North America. Pl. 5.3m; p. 66 (2)
Hodges, Ronald W. (ed.), 1983; Check List of the Lepidoptera of America North of Mexico. (4)
Hodges, R. W., 1974. MONA Fascicle 6.2, p. 45; pl. 3.11 (out of print)
Walsingham. T. de Grey. 1889. Steps towards a revision of Chambers' index, with notes and descriptions of new species. Insect Life 1(8): 257 (1)
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - species page with photograph of pinned adult.
Pinned Specimen at CalPhotos
Pinned Specimen and Info at Moths of North Dakota.
Moths of Oklahoma (PDF) - listed for Oklahoma.
Moths of Iowa - listed for Iowa.
Thomas de Grey Walsingham (Wikipedia)
Works Cited
1.Steps towards a revision of Chambers' index, with notes and descriptions of new species. (continuing series vol. 1)
Lord Walsingham. 1888. Insect Life 1(3-5,8-9): 81-84, 113-117, 145-150, 254-258, 287-291.
2.Moths of Western North America
Powell and Opler. 2009. UC Press.
3.HOSTS - The Hostplants and Caterpillars Database
4.Check list of the Lepidoptera of America north of Mexico.
Hodges, et al. (editors). 1983. E. W. Classey, London. 284 pp.
Contributed by Steve Nanz on 23 November, 2010 - 3:37am
Additional contributions by Maury Heiman, ceiseman, Randy Hardy
Last updated 13 September, 2022 - 4:10pm

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