Cosmopterix pulchrimella — Beautiful Cosmopterix

(Chambers, 1875)

Hodges# 1472

Etymology

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

pulchrimella: Includes the Latin words pulchre, meaning “beautiful” with the suffix ella, meaning “small.”

Pronunciation

kahz-moh-tair-iks pul-krim-el-uh

Other Common Names

Beautiful Cosmo

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the beautiful 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
2022-07-08	Newton	Jaskula, Jeanette
2022-07-08	Newton	Jaskula, Jeanette
2022-06-14	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2022-06-14	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2021-08-02	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2021-07-26	St. Joseph	Mysore, Keshava
2021-06-09	Boone	Jaskula, Jeanette	Adult
2020-05-31	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-05-31	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-05-31	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2022-07-08 County: Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2022-07-08 County: Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2022-06-14 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-14 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-08-02 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2021-07-26 County: St. Joseph Observer: Mysore, Keshava Notes:
Date: 2021-06-09 County: Boone Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-31 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-31 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-31 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult

Cosmopterix pulchrimella Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

• Global status: GNR (not yet ranked)
• National status: NNR (not yet ranked)
• Indiana status: SNR (not yet ranked)

Floral Associates

Beautiful cosmopterix caterpillars are dietary specialists on certain plants in the nettle (Urticaceae) family.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Rosales
Urticaceae	Parietaria pensylvanica	Pennsylvania pellitory
	Pilea spp.	clearweed