Oecophorid moth

Description:

A tiny moth that is half yellow and half black and has a yellow spot in the black half.

Habitat:

Spotted on a leaf in backyard.

Notes:

The first report of Oecophora bractella (L.) from North America is given, based on collection records from Washington and British Columbia. This species is found throughout Europe, but is generally rare to uncommon through most of its range. Larvae occur on rotting wood in association with certain fungi and are not expected to reach pest status. Adults were captured at nine locations, with the first record from Seattle, WA in 1998. This first record and some of the subsequent records are from sites immediately adjacent to or associated with international shipping routes. Other sites with O. bractella are from residential areas, two of which have established breeding populations. The introduction of this moth is surprising, particularly given the low interception rate at United States ports and its specialized feeding niche. A diagnosis and photographs of adults are provided to enable North American researchers to identify this species and to monitor its spread.