Exaeretia umbraticostella
| Exaeretia umbraticostella | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Depressariidae |
| Genus: | Exaeretia |
| Species: | E. umbraticostella |
| Binomial name | |
| Exaeretia umbraticostella (Walsingham, 1881) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Exaeretia umbraticostella is a moth in the Depressariidae family.[1] It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from South Dakota and British Columbia to Texas and California.[2]
The wingspan is 16–19 mm. The forewings are light reddish ochreous with small diffused blackish-fuscous spots on the costa and around the termen. There is a conspicuous, outwardly diffused blackish-fuscous shade on the middle of the costa, preceded by two minute discal dots of the same colour. There is a light fuscous shade from the costal patch, around the termen to near the middle of the inner margin. The hindwings are shining greyish fuscous.[3]
The larvae feed on Balsamohirza sagittata and Helianthus pumilus.[4] They feed within tubes, formed from tied terminal leaves. A single larvae may construct several tubes. Full-grown larvae reach a length of 11–12 mm. They have a light yellowish body and light brown head. Pupation takes place in debris at the base of the plant.