[ncsc-moths] Re: need help with a recent Tort

  • From: "J. Merrill Lynch" <jmerrilllynch@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 09:02:34 -0800

After looking at Gilligan et al, Olethreutine Moths of Midwestern US, it
reminded me how difficult these species are to tell apart by maculation
alone.  There is a lot of intraspecific variation as well.  My best guess
remains Catastega timidella although one of the Gretchena species such as
bolliana is also a possibility.  Size, flight period and food plants can be
useful in narrowing down the possibilities.  Gretchena bolliana flies from
June to October and it's preferred host is pecan although it has also been
reported from other hickory species.  Catastega timidella flies in May-June
and the food plant is oak.  Both have the blackish zigzag streak running
from base to apex.

Depending on factors such as the photo angle and how worn the moth is, many
individuals just cannot be reliably identified to species except by
genitalic features. I think it is safe to say this moth is in the Eucosmini
tribe but definitive i.d. is beyond my pay grade.

Merrill

On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 7:38 AM, J. Merrill Lynch <jmerrilllynch@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Bob, I don't think that's E. lindana.  Looks like it could be 3333
> Catastega timidella.
>
> Merrill
>
>  On Jan 4, 2012 10:26 AM, "Bob Perkins" <perkybear@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Ken's inquiry and Merrill's reply sent me digging through my stash of
>> unidentified micros. I'm wondering if the attached could be Epinotia
>> lindana.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>> ------------------------
>> Bob Perkins
>> Woodlawn, Virginia
>> Historian and General Outdoorsman
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>


-- 
J. Merrill Lynch
Echo Valley Farm
Watauga County, NC
Elevation:  3,400 feet

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