No widely recognized common name
Common NameNo widely recognized common name
Scientific NameNeoscythris fissirostris
FamilyScythrididae
SubfamilyNot applicable
Wingspan (mm)12
Primary Colorspale brown, grey, dark brown
HabitatArid and semi-arid regions, chaparral, open woodlands
Geographic RangeNorth America (specifically California, USA)
Host PlantsUnknown for this species, but other Scythrididae feed on various herbaceous plants and shrubs
Flight PeriodLate spring to summer
Lifecycle NotesLike all moths, it undergoes complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Larvae are typically small and may feed internally or externally on host plants.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, slender body, long antennae, and the characteristic streaked, cryptic forewing pattern. Distinguishing from similar micro-moths often requires examination of genitalia.
Description
This is a small, slender moth with long antennae and narrow, pointed wings. Its forewings are pale greyish-brown with distinct darker longitudinal streaks, creating a cryptic, mottled pattern.
