Eucosma parmatana

Status

NATIVE

DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

Eucosma parmatana (Clemens) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Eucosmini)

Common name: aster Eucosma moth

Synonyms: alterana (Thiodia), crispana (Steganoptycha), kennebecana (Epinotia), marmontana (Proteopteryx), perfuscana (Thiodia), sinestrigana (Thiodia)

Adult Recognition

FWL: 4.5–7.0 mm (males); 5.5–7.0 mm (females)

Head, thorax brown, suffused with red-brown scales in some individuals; ground color of forewing dark brown with cream-white area around ocellus; costal strigulae white, often faint; interfascial spot white, variable, ranging from large and conspicuous to nearly obsolete; male without forewing costal fold; hindwing pale gray to brown.

Male genitalia are characterized by a nearly obsolete uncus; socii long, slender; valvae with deep basal excavation, narrow neck; and a well-developed cucullus. Female genitalia are characterized by a rectangular lamella postvaginalis, slightly constricted medially to produce a broad, hourglass-like shape; and two horn-like signa in the corpus bursae.

Larval Morphology

The following is summarized from MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Mature larva 7–8 mm in length; width of head 0.8–0.9 mm; head yellow, often with dark pigmentation present laterally; prothoracic shield light brown; body, legs very pale; pinacula minute, concolorous with body; anal fork absent; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 usually 2:2:2:2:1.

A complete description of larval chaetotaxy is given in MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Similar Species

Eucosma parmatana is very similar to several other species of Eucosmini, including but not limited to Eucosma oregonensis, Epinotia transmissana, and Epiblema otiosana. Eucosma oregonensis is a west coast species which does not overlap in range with E. parmatana, although the forewing pattern and genitalia are extremely similar. Dissection may be necessary to differentiate E. parmatana from the latter two.

Distribution

Eucosma parmatana is broadly distributed in North America, from Maine west to Minnesota and Colorado, south to Florida and eastern Texas. Records from Utah and California require verification. 

Biology

Little is known of the biology of Eucosma parmatana. Larvae have been recorded feeding on the inflorescences of Aster and Symphyotrichum (both Asteraceae) and overwinter in a cocoon constructed in the soil or in plant litter. Adults fly from mid July to late September.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and a distribution map of this species in North America are available at Moth Photographers Group.