[tn-moths] Re: Agonopterix sp.?
- From: Hugh McGuinness <hdmcguinness@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 14:37:31 -0400
I finally had a chance to consult the MONA fascicle on Oecophorids, and I
have grown more convinced that Ken's moth is A. clemensella. The color of
the wings and the gray prothorax match that species better than the other
possibilities: nebulosa is a grayish moth; nigrinotella and argillacea are
both tan moths. I think also the multiple white spots might be an
interesting mark to consider: most Agonopterix have a single white spot and
clemensella is unusual in that it has two. Ken's example has 4-5 spots per
wing. One would have to go through a collection to see if the presence of
multiple spots is diagnostic. This is potentially a first TN record, so I
recommend getting a specimen or two.
Hugh
On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:46 AM, J. Merrill Lynch
<jmerrilllynch@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> Here is what I've learned from the MONA fascicle 6.2, Oecophoridae.
> Agonopterix psoraliella 0891 can be eliminated as a possibility--its a
> western species; A. clemensella 0862 is a northeastern species ranging
> from southern Canada down to Washington DC, Ohio, and Illinois area
> (close enough to our area, I think, that it cannot be eliminated as a
> possibility), its foodplant is various umbels (Umbelliferae); A.
> argillacea 0889 ranges across the entire US and definitely occurs in
> our area, it is polyphagous (many different species of food plants).
>
> Two other species occur in our area and have generally uniform
> gray-brown wings that look similar: A. nigrinotella 0861.1 (not
> illustrated in MPG), the foodplant is hickory (Carya spp.) and A.
> nebulosa 0894, foodplant is pussytoes (Antennaria spp.).
>
> As it often seems to be, the more you learn, the more confused you
> become. In this case, it appears there are several species that are
> possible but I'd lean towards clemensella based on appearance although
> its range appears to be a little to the north of us.
>
> On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 5:33 PM, Jean Obrist <innisfreehorses@xxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> > I had one very similar to yours, Ken, and I called it A. argillacaea
> > (00889). Some of the pix on MPG and one on Bug Guide seem to match.
> > According to the data on Bug Guide, they are found in several states, the
> > closest being VA.
> >
> > Jean Obrist
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: kjchilds
> > To: TN Moths
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 1:24 PM
> > Subject: [tn-moths] Agonopterix sp.?
> >
> http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p193/kjchilds/Moths%202011/Moths%202011%20temporary/IMG_3738.jpg
> >
> > I didn't find this in the living plates on MPG but the mounted one of 891
> > Agonopterix psoraliella looks like a possibility.
> > http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=891
> >
> > Ken Childs
> > Henderson, TN
> > Chester County
> >
> > http://www.finishflagfarms.com
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> J. Merrill Lynch
> Echo Valley Farm
> Watauga County, NC
> Elevation: 3,400 feet
>
>
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