The Zeller’s Ethmia Moth has a wingspan of about 3/4 – 1 inch. The forewing is white with long black streaks and oval black spots. The terminal line is composed of a band of squarish black spots. The hindwing is gray with a dark terminal band and pale fringes. This moth has yellow legs which separates it from other Ethmia species. The forelegs have black banding. The brightly colored caterpillar is yellow with black spots and bands. The head is shiny black with a transverse yellow band.
The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. An adult was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in mid-April 2015. The adults are attracted to lights
The caterpillars eat the leaves of Phacelia plants. In Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods they probably eat Virginia Waterleaf. There are 46 species in the genus Ethmia in North America.
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