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| Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) |
The most extraordinary characteristic of the
Diamond-back Moth is its almost limitless distribution… a fair share of this species
has even been recorded in the Arctic Circle! I was grateful that it stuck
around long enough for a photograph because its appearance helps explain part
of its name. Plutella comes from the
Latin plutos (washed) describing the
smudged-looking colors that blend into each other as they recede down the length of the wings. Xylostella comes from the honeysuckle
genus, mistakenly thought to be the larvae’s foodplant.
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| Clepsis consimilana |
We almost missed the Clepsis consimilana because she lay asleep on the screened box rather
than on or within the trap itself. Clepsis
comes from klepto (to steal or
conceal), which refers to the larvae who hide themselves in spinnings. It also
seems appropriate for the adult we found today, as it was a hidden from the
rest of the catch. Consimilis means
‘entirely similar’ but probably refers to the uniform color of the forewing
rather than any similarity to another species. The interesting thing about this
name is that only the female is solid-colored. The male is usually much lighter
and has darker-shaded markings.
Welcome to our list. Current count: 204.
-Post by Helen Levins
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