MOMPHA MURTFELDTELLA
Mompha murfeldtella
MOMPHID MOTHS (Momphidae)
This Mompha moth has a wingspan of about 1/2 inch. The forewing is dark gray with a large white patch in the basal area and a smaller white patch in the median area. The narrow hindwing is gray. Both the forewing and hindwing have a long fluffy, tan fringe. The head is white. At rest there are raised scales on the back which give the moth a humped appearance. The antennae are very long and slender.
The frequency of occurrence in this area of this moth is not known. It was photographed once at Fontenelle Forest in late July 2016 at a mothing event during National Moth Week. It occurs in the U.S. from Maine to Florida west to Kansas, Texas and California. Most records are from May to August.
The larvae feed on the reproductive tissue of Oenothera species (Cut-leaf Evening Primrose and Common Evening Primrose, both found in this area).
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