Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Stegasta capitella (Fabricius, 1794)
Alucita capitella Fabricius, 1794
Numbers
There are two species of the genus
Stegasta in America north of Mexico.
(1),
(2)Size
Forewing length about 4 mm.
Identification
The head and thorax of the adult is white. The very similar Stegasta bosquella has only the front of the head white with the rest of the head and thorax dark brown/blackish.
Habitat
Stegasta capitella occurs in areas where peanuts are grown.
Season
Heppner (2003) reported February to August, October, December in Florida.
(3)Food
The larval host is peanut.
Heppner (2003) listed
Sida spinosa L. (prickly fanpetals).
(3)See Also
Stegasta bosquella
Some
Ethmia species have similar black and white markings.
Print References
Fabricius, 1794. Ent. Syst. 3(2): 330.