Nites betulella, the black-dotted birch leaftier moth, is a moth in the family Depressariidae. It was described by August Busck in 1902.[1] It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Nova Scotia, southern Canada, the north-eastern United States, British Columbia and Wisconsin.[2]

Nites betulella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Depressariidae
Genus: Nites
Species:
N. betulella
Binomial name
Nites betulella
(Busck, 1902)
Synonyms
  • Depressaria betulella Busck, 1902

The wingspan is about 23 mm. The forewings are ochreous, overlaid with fuscous. The base of the wings and basal part of the costa are lighter ochreous and the base of the dorsal edge is nearly white, with a small triangular deep black area above it. The hindwings are dark shining ochreous fuscous, but lighter at the base.[3] Adults have been recorded on wing from April to October in Maine and from August to September in Alberta.[4]

The larvae feed on Betula nigra, Betula papyrifera, Betula lutea, Corylus species, Alnus rugosa, Acer rubrum, Juglans nigra and Populus tremuloides.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Beccaloni, G.; Scoble, M.; Kitching, I.; Simonsen, T.; Robinson, G.; Pitkin, B.; Hine, A.; Lyal, C., eds. (2003). "Nites betulella​". The Global Lepidoptera Names Index. Natural History Museum. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  2. ^ Moth Photographers Group at Mississippi State University
  3. ^ Proceedings of the United States National Museum 24 (1268): 746  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ Bug Guide
  5. ^ Nites at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms