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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

990225n – 19225   Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Milliere, 1864)
Distribution Data for Cryptoblabes gnidiella
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Distribution: Mediterranean distribution; not found in North America north of Mexico.
Seasonality
and Size:
Number of generations highly dependent on climate and number of generations in the literature ranges from three in Southern Europe, to six in Israel. Wingspan ranges 11-20mm
Larva and
Host Plants:
Larvae have been recorded feeding on representatives of the Alliaceae, Fabaceae, Annonaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceaea, Malvaceae, Euphorbiaceae Moraceae, Musaceae, Gramineae, and Anacardiaceae. Some hosts of importance include Allium cepa (onion), Citrus spp. (lemon, orange), Coffea spp. (Coffee), Ficus carica (common fig), Gossypium spp. (cotton), Macadamia (Macadamia), Malus pumila (apple), Mangifera indica (mango), Orysa sativa (rice), Pennisetum americanum (pearl millet), Persea americana (Avocado), Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean), Prunus persica (peach), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Pyrus communis (pear), Ricinis communis (Castor oil plant), Sacharum officinarum (sugarcane), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum), Triticum aestivum (common wheat), Vitis vinifera (common grape vine), and Zea mays (maize/corn) New generations can alternate between different hosts depending on availability. Larvae may be identifiable, and possibly to species if origin is from the Western Hemisphere, using Solis's (2006) key to pyraloidea larvae.
Description/
Field Marks:
Forewings grayish-brown with variable degrees of white suffusion. Interspersed “reddish-brown scales give a purplish appearance”. Pale indistinct interrupted fascia are present, and the last 1/5th of the wing is lighter in color than the rest of the forewing. Hindwing with conspicuous brownish-grey veins and leading edge. Hindwing fringe white.
Genitalia: Can be confused with numerous other North American Pyraloidea. Genitalia should be used to confirm identity. Passoa (2009) describes the key characters in C. gnidiella adults, which distinguish it from other phycitine moths as follows: “Forewings narrow and mostly brown; scale and setal tufts present near base of sacculus; apical portion of gnathos hooked; mesotibia without an oblique black dash (honeydew moth).”
Similar Species:
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy:
  • gnidiella Milliere 1864 (Ephestia)
  • References
    • (1) Natural History Museum: HOSTS- website
    • (2) Molet, T. 2013. CPHST Pest Datasheet for Cryptoblabes gnidiella. USDA-APHIS-PPQCPHST.
    • (3) Passoa, S., 2009. Screening key for CAPS target Lepidoptera in the Eastern and Midwestern United States (males). University of Maryland, 1-159.
    • (4) Solis, A. 2006. Key to selected Pyraloidea (Lepidoptera) larvae intercepted at U.S. ports of entry: revision of Pyraloidea in "keys to some frequently intercepted Lepidopterous larvae" by Weisman 1986 [pdf]
    Cryptoblabes gnidiella
    © Christi Jaeger, MEM

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