04.075 Etainia louisella (Maple Seed Dot)
ws: 5-8mm (MBGBI1); bivoltine or trivoltine - Apr-May, Jul-Sep, Oct-Apr; spring larvae mine buds, autumn larvae mine seeds (samara) of field maple (Acer campestre); fairly common in south England
Synonym: Etainia sphendamni (MBGBI1)
Synonym: Etainia sphendamni (MBGBI1)
ID: Forewing with a broad complete whitish antemedian fascia, basal and postmedian costal and dorsal spots > genus Etainia.
E.decentella is readily distinguished by having a whitish thorax and black head
E.louisella and E.sericopeza require genital determination to distinguish from each other (although the pattern of androconial scales is probably diagnostic in the male).
Male genitalia: In E.sericopeza the pseuduncus tapers from its base to a narrow apex; in E.louisella it tapers less and the apex is broader. In E.sericopeza the processes extending anteriorly from the transtilla are long (each ~⅔ the length of the bar between them); in E.louisella they are shorter (each ~ ½ the length of the bar between them).
Female genitalia: Based on comparison of images at Moth Dissection it appears that the main distinguishing feature is in the length of a ventral medial process associated with the anal papillae - about twice as long in E.sericopeza (?)
E.decentella is readily distinguished by having a whitish thorax and black head
E.louisella and E.sericopeza require genital determination to distinguish from each other (although the pattern of androconial scales is probably diagnostic in the male).
Male genitalia: In E.sericopeza the pseuduncus tapers from its base to a narrow apex; in E.louisella it tapers less and the apex is broader. In E.sericopeza the processes extending anteriorly from the transtilla are long (each ~⅔ the length of the bar between them); in E.louisella they are shorter (each ~ ½ the length of the bar between them).
Female genitalia: Based on comparison of images at Moth Dissection it appears that the main distinguishing feature is in the length of a ventral medial process associated with the anal papillae - about twice as long in E.sericopeza (?)
§1 Dagenham, Essex; 31/08/2024; male; fw 2.5mm (specimen trapped by Bill Crooks)
All images © Chris Lewis
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 20/09/2024 (§1)