Mourning Ethmia
Common NameMourning Ethmia
Scientific NameEthmia longimaculella
FamilyDepressariidae
SubfamilyEthmiinae
Wingspan (mm)18
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsblack, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, fields, gardens, areas with host plants
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America
Host PlantsLithospermum, Mertensia
Flight PeriodMay to September (bivoltine)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family, such as stoneseed and bluebells. The species typically has two generations per year, with adults emerging in late spring and mid-summer.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its unique black and white spotted forewing pattern, including a prominent black basal streak. The hindwings are uniformly dark gray.
Description
A small moth characterized by its striking black and white forewings. The white forewings feature numerous irregular black spots and a prominent black streak along the basal half of the costa.
