(Eucosma tomonana)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Aster-head eucosma moth is a common, small, leafroller moth. It occurs in the United States from Maine to North Carolina, west to Minnesota and eastern Texas. It occurs in southern Canada from Nova Scotia west to Manitoba. Adults are found in open and shaded areas with their host plants. They have been observed from July through September, but their peak occurrence is in August. Larva are found in flower heads. The range of host species is uncertain. They have been recorded on New England aster, but they probably also feed on other aster species, and they may also feed on other composites in the Aster (Asteraceae) family. Adults are ¼″ (6 mm) in length and have a ½″ to ⅝″ (12 to 15 mm) wingspan. Moth size is often given in terms of forewing length, which in this case is 3⁄16″ to ¼″ (5.5 to 7.0 mm). The antennae are long and thread-like. They are held slightly curled when at rest. The finger-like sensory organs (palps) attached to the mouth are long and densely hairy. They are projected forward, appearing like a fuzzy snout. The head and palps are pale gray to reddish-brown, the same as the base color of the forewings. The forewings are narrower at the base and wider at the rear, and the lateral margins are slightly curved, giving the moth a tapered appearance. They are pale brownish gray, and they are overlaid with fine gray lines, especially along the leading edge (costal margin). Each forewing has two large, dark brown spots near the middle at the inner margin. The front spot is in the shape of a half crescent, and the rear spot is a half circle. When the wings are closed, they form a crescent and a circle respectively. The spots often have a thin, pale beige or whitish border. There are two or more small black spots in the subterminal area near the inner margin (anal angle). There is no eyespot. |
Size |
Total length: ¼″ (6 mm) Forewing length: 3⁄16″ to ¼″ (5.5 to 7.0 mm) Wingspan: ½″ to ⅝″ (12 to 15 mm) |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Open areas that contain asters. |
Biology |
Season |
July through September |
Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Larva Hosts |
New England aster, probably other asters, possibly other composites in the Aster (Asteraceae) family |
Adult Food |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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1/2/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Common in the northeast, not common in Minnesota. |
Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Superfamily |
Tortricoidea (tortricid leafroller moths and allies) |
Family |
Tortricidae (totricid leafroller moths) |
Subfamily |
Olethreutinae (olethreutine leafroller moths) |
Tribe |
Eucosmini |
Genus |
Eucosma |
Section |
Parmatana (aster and reddish eucosma moths and allies) |
Genus Species |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Eucosma limigena Phaneta tomonana Thiodia tomonana |
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Common Names |
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aster-head eucosma moth aster-head phaneta moth |
Glossary
Anal angle
In insects: The angle at the corner of a wing formed where the outer and inner margins meet.
Costal margin
The leading edge of the forewing of insects.
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Babette Kis |
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Eucosma tomonana, Aster-head Eucosma moth Eucosma tomonana, a very small (about 5 mm long) moth, was photographed at Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI on August 19, 2024. |
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Babette Kis |
Location: Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI Eucosma tomonana, a very small (about 5 mm long) moth, was photographed at Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI on August 19, 2024. |
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Created: 1/2/2025 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |