Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Epimartyria pardella (Walsingham, 1880)
Micropteryx pardella Walsingham, 1880
(1)
Phylogenetic sequence #010003
Explanation of Names
Specific epithet from ancient Greek
pardus meaning "leopard" for the spotted wings.
Size
Forewing length 4.5-5.5 mm.
(3)Identification
Head: Head light orangish-brown, long-haired or scaled. No proboscis but functioning mandibles, mouth pale brown to brownish-yellow.
Antenna: Base (scape) and pedicel light orangish-brown. Segments dark brownish-gray with golden hairs (scales).
Thorax: Brown with reddish to purplish luster. Sides light orangish-brown.
Wings: Forewings brown with coppery luster. Base has faint yellow spot and yellow speckling. One large yellow spot on costal edge starting at mid-wing. A large yellow crescent shape on inner margin starting at mid-wing and bending toward head. A small yellow spot at anal angle. Fringe at wing tip yellow, rest gray-brown. Hindwing and fringe gray.
Legs: Brown with long yellow streaks or spots. Front shin has a small spur at center (lacking on the other two species).
Abdomen: Dark brownish-gray, hairy scales are lighter brown.
Range
Southern Oregon to northern California.
(3)Habitat
Canyons bordering redwood forests. The steep canyon walls are moist and prolific with ferns, mosses and liverwort.
(2)Season
Late May to mid-July, abundant in June.
(2)Food
Prefers Liverwort Pellia species, but also uses Great Scented Liverwort Conocephalum conicum .
Life Cycle
Moths are day flying, but spend most of their time stationery or within 30 cm (1 foot) of their food plants. Although flowering plants were available, adults were seen only drinking water and would die within 2 days if no water was available.
Eggs laid on underside of the liverwort leaves; hatched in 3 weeks.
Larvae have a 2 year life cycle and 3 instars. Older larvae feed on underside of leaves at night.
Larvae 4.5 mm long. Brown head, prominent antenna, mandibles dark brown.
Body tapers at both ends; dark brown, lighter on underside. Shield has 10 hairs. Thorax has 8 hairs.
Thoracic legs brown. Al to A8 (and T2 and T3) ridged with one hair on ridge. Brown, wrinkled. 8 small prolegs.
Pupation occurs on ground vegetation. Cocoon brown, oval, about 5 mm long. Made of silk with some debris and attached to vegetation.
Remarks
Types:
Lectotype as Micropteryx pardella male by Walsingham, 1880. #90591. Locality: Klamath County; Redwood forests, south Oregon, June 1872. Lectotype designated by Davis & Landry, 2012. Genitalia Slide #25352. In British Museum of Natural History, London, England. The lectotype has been selected from a series of the five original syntypes collected by Walsingham.
See Also
Epimartyria bimaculella has only 2 yellow spots on forewing. E. auricrinella has none.
Print References
Davis & Landry. 2012. A review of the North American genus Epimartyria (Lepidoptera: Micropterigidae). ZooKeys #183: pp. 69-73.
Tuskes, P.M. & N.J. Smith. 1984. The life history and behavior of
Epimartyria pardella (Micropterigidae).
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 38(1):
40-46 (2)
Walsingham, T, de Grey. 1880. On some new and little known species of Tineidae.
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.1880:
83 (1)
