Coelostathma discopunctana Clemens (Tortricidae: Tortricinae: Sparganothini)
Common name: batman moth
Synonyms: discipunctana (Coelostathma)
FWL: 6.5–6.8 mm (males); 6.9–7.4 mm (females)
Head and thorax pale yellow to pale brown; labial palpi long; forewing with broad, somewhat diffuse median fascia, darker along inner margin in females; a small black dot present near the apex of the discal cell; faint reticulations present over much of forewing; male forewing costal fold absent; female forewing similar to male but slightly darker, markings less distinct. hindwing in both sexes white to pale brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by a long, slender, curved uncus; somewhat triangular valvae; and a well-defined sacculus with a slender anterior process extending into the disc of the valva. The female genitalia are characterized by a weakly bilobed sterigma; signum present as a broad, curved band in the caudal region of the corpus bursae.
The following account is summarized from Powell and Brown (2012)Powell and Brown (2012):
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp..
Mature larva 12–14 mm in length. Head amber, with black pigmentation laterally; body translucent in early instars, becoming pale green-gray with age, prothoracic shield concolorous with broad, irregularly triangular patch of darker pigmentation laterally; semitransparent; pinacula moderately small, darkening with age; anal fork well-developed. SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 usually 3:3:3:2:2.
A complete, detailed description of larval chaetotaxy is available in Powell and Brown (2012)Powell and Brown (2012):
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp..
Adults of Coelostathma discopunctana could be confused with Sparganothoides lentiginosana (Walsingham), a similar-looking southeastern United States species. However, adults of S. lentiginosana lack the defined median fascia, the distinct discal spot, and abdominal dorsal pits found in both sexes of C. discopunctana. Males of S. lentiginosana possess a forewing costal fold, which males of C. discopunctana lack.
Coelostathma discopunctana is broadly distributed in eastern North America, from Nova Scotia and northern Minnesota south to Florida and eastern Texas.
The following account is summarized from unpublished notes by Busck included in Powell and Brown (2012)Powell and Brown (2012):
Powell, J. A., Brown, J. W. 2012. Tortricoidea, Tortricidae (part): Tortricinae (part): Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R. W. (ed.). The Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., 230 pp..
In Virginia, females of Coelostathma discopunctana lay small patches of 5–20 eggs over about a one-week period in September on leaves of the host plant. Larvae hatch about one week later and feed by constructing an open silken chamber on the host. Development takes between 45–50 days, but probably fewer in the summer months and further south. Overwintering occurs as late instar larvae or as pupae. At least two, possibly more, generations occur per year. The first generation of adults peaks in late May into June and the second from late July into August and early September. Most adult records come from May through September, but adults may be active year-round along the Gulf Coast.
Larvae have been reared from a few different low-growing herbs as well as apple (Malus sp.).
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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