Genus Epimartyria

Epimartyria Walsingham, 1898

Three Epimartyria species occur in America north of Mexico.(1)

4 to 6 mm long.

The three North American species of Epimartyria have light orangish-brown long-haired (scaled) or mop-like heads, sometimes called Goldcap Moss-eaters. Like all Micropterigidae, Epimartyria have no proboscis, but chewing mouth parts and mandibles.

All 3 species have dark wings with copper, purple and red iridescence:

1. Wings with no marks .............................................. E. auricrinella

2. Wings with two yellow spots ..................................... E. bimaculella

3. Wings with four yellow spots .................................... E. pardella

key to spp. in(1)

E. auricrinella widespread in ne. US (to so. Appalachians) and adjacent eastern Canada; British Columbia and adjacent Washington

E. bimaculella and E. pardella along the Pacific (BC-WA & OR-n.CA, respectively)(1)

Moist habitats in or near forests.

Generally May to August

Liverwort and possibly mosses.

Studies done on Epimartyria pardella indicate that all three species have a two year life cycle. Moths are day flying and stay within 30 cm (1 foot) of their food plants - liverworts. They drink water and will die within two days without it. Eggs are laid on the underside of liverwort ‘leaves’ and take 3 weeks to hatch. Larvae are semi-aquatic and can withstand periodic flooding.

*Adults have articulated mandibles instead of coiled probosis.