Argyresthia castaneella

Busck, 1915

Sort #: 379 | P #: 360072 | MPG #: 2446
| View on iNaturalist | BOLD Link

Larval feeding type: In Virginia, it was reared from bark infested with the Chestnut Clearwing Moth. It cannot be excluded however that the bark was just used as a pupation site.
Larval substrate: Possibly Castanea dentata (American Chestnut)
Phenology: Adult: 7/13 (1 record)

Comment: A specimen of an unknown Argyresthia posted on Bugguide and originally identified as A. pruniella, is tentatively placed under this species. It matches the original description of this very poorly known species fairly well. A. castaneella was described from specimens from Virginia and Hampton, New Hampshire. It should be looked for sitting on chestnut and other trunks in June/July, although it could also occur on other tree species. Note added: A photo of what is presumably a type specimen of A. castaneella is shown on BOLD. This specimen looks somewhat different, with the costal spot much smaller, so the specimen on Bugguide is likely not this species. A. castaneella is very similar to A. subreticulata, but has a pure white dorsal half with just a single small brown spot along the dorsum and another of similar size at the end of the cell in the middle of the wing. One of the types was taken just 4 miles from the Massachusetts border, so it should occur in the State.

Status in MA (automated assessment): Uncertain status
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 2016
Last Year Reported: 2016

Distribution by County: Middlesex
Number of Records: 1