Cosmopterix fernaldella — Fernald's Cosmopterix

Walsingham, 1882

Hodges# 1496

Etymology

Cosmopterix: Combines the Greek kosmos, meaning “order,” often used to pertain to beauty, and pterix, meaning “wing.”

fernaldella: Species named in honor of Charles H. Fernald (1838-1921), an American entomologist from Maine and first full-time professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was also the first college professor of economic entomology and documented many Micro-Lepidoptera throughout his career. The suffix ella is Latin for “small.”

Pronunciation

kahz-moh-tair-iks fur-nahl-del-uh

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the verified sightings of Fernald's cosmopterix in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2020-05-29	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-05-29	Lake	Welton, Rick	Close up of top view
2020-05-29	Lake	Welton, Rick	Top view
2020-05-29	Lake	Welton, Rick	View with rule for size

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-05-29 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-29 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Close up of top view
Date: 2020-05-29 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Top view
Date: 2020-05-29 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: View with rule for size

Cosmopterix fernaldella Sightings by Month

Floral Associates

Fernald's cosmopterix caterpillars are dietary specialists on plants in the sedge (Carex) genus.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Poales
Cyperaceae	Carex spp.	sedges