Scythris sinensis is a tiny East Asian moth, 3/8–9/16 in (10–14 mm) across, with blue-black forewings marked with yellow spots and a bright yellow abdomen. It is not native to the US but has turned up here as an introduced species.
Appearance
- Appearance
- is about 3/8–9/16 in (10–14 mm). The forewings are bluish black with a pair of yellow patches, the hindwings are dark brownish gray, and the abdomen is bright yellow. Females have a broader abdomen than males.
Where it lives
- Range
- Native to the Far East, including Korea. It also occurs in central Russia and southern Siberia, and has turned up in eastern Europe and Pennsylvania, most likely carried there by accident. It is listed as an introduced species in the contiguous US.
Life cycle
- Larva
- The caterpillar hides in a loose silk web among the young leaves and buds at the top of the plant.
- Caterpillar food plants
- Caterpillars feed on lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and spear saltbush (Atriplex patula).
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
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