FWL: 8.0–10.5 mm (males); 9.0–12.0 mm (females)
Adults are brown to blackish gray with indistinct markings. A conspicuous white dot is present on the distal one-third of the forewing. Males lack a forewing costal fold and have distinctive golden or brown tassel-like sex scaling on the dorsal surface of the abdomen. The hindwing is brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by the absence of an uncus, a large but undifferentiated cucullus, and a short row of about 25–30 deciduous cornuti in the vesica. Female genitalia are characterized by a cestum in the ductus bursae that is closer to the ductus seminalis than the ostium and two large, horn-like signa in the corpus bursae.
Although not described, larvae are assumed to be similar to other species in the Cryptophlebia-Ecdytolopha group, with an enlarged L-pinaculum on the prothorax that extends beneath (and usually beyond) the spiracle.
Males can be separated from those of Gymnandrosoma aurantianum by sex scaling on the dorsal surface of the abdomen and differences in genitalia. Two other species of Gymnandrosoma, G. linaresensis and G. cryptotortanum, have similar scale structures on the abdomen, but these species only occur in Mexico.
Gymnandrosoma punctidiscanum is distributed from Massachusetts and southern Ontario west to Wisconsin and south to Florida and Texas.
Little is known regarding the life cycle of this species. Collection records suggest multiple generations per year. In the midwestern United States, adults are present in May through September. In Florida and southern locations, adults may be present year-round.
Larvae of Gymnandrosoma punctidiscanum have been recorded feeding on locust (Robinia spp.) and red oak (Quercus rubra).
View full screen host table here
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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