Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

10 June 2003   8:28PM EST  (top left)
14 June 2003   11:30PM EST  (top right)
20 June 2003   10:41PM EST  (bottom)

My identification of this species was initially based on comparison of my photos with specimens in the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa, to which access was kindly arranged by Dr. J. Donald Lafontaine of Agriculture Canada.  My thanks to Dr. Jean-François Landry of Agriculture Canada for his assistance with the identification.

Ethmia longimaculella is one of two species of Ethmia known to occur in the Ottawa area.  At rest, this species usually tents its wings closely around its body.  The forewing is white, marked with black dashes of various thicknesses and sizes.  A row of black dashes marks the terminal line.  There are three black dots on each side of the thorax, viewed from above.  I have not measured the wing length but would estimate it at less than 15 mm.  The moth overall has a smooth appearance.

The larvae of Ethmia longimaculella have been reported at various Internet sites to feed on Lithospermum species.

I have photographed this species in 2001 on 29 June; in 2002, on 11 and 14 June, and on 8 and 28 July; in 2003, on 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 21 and 28 June, and on 2, 4, 7, 14 and 22 July.