Ethmia zelleriella — Zeller’s ethmia

(Chambers, 1878)

Hodges# 0992

Etymology

Ethmia: Combines the Greek ethm, meaning “sieve,” or “sift” with the common zoological Greek suffix, ia, used to form nouns.

zelleriella: Named for Philipp Christoph Zeller (1808 – 1883). German-born, Zeller took an early interest in entomology, eventually earning a degree from the University of Berlin, and later, he authored the 13-volume work, The Natural History of the Tineina. This work provided a precise and orderly approach to species classification and was a significant lepidopterological achievement. As a result, Zeller became one of the most well-known lepidopterists of his time. The suffix ella means “small.”

Pronunciation

eth-me-uh zel-uhr-eye-el-uh

Documented Occurrences

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

Documented North American Sightings as of 4/1/2020

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2020-05-29	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-05-29	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-05-29	Lake	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-05-22	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2020-05-21	Jefferson	Johnson, Stefan	Adult
2020-05-15	Hamilton	McCord, Dan	Adult
2020-05-03	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2019-08-13	Hendricks	Stonebraker, Dustin	Adult
2019-07-10	Fountain	Frazier, Carla	Adult
2019-05-24	Johnson	Bowman, Megan	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2020-05-29 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-29 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-29 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-22 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-21 County: Jefferson Observer: Johnson, Stefan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-15 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-05-03 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-13 County: Hendricks Observer: Stonebraker, Dustin Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-10 County: Fountain Observer: Frazier, Carla Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-05-24 County: Johnson Observer: Bowman, Megan Notes: Adult

Zeller’s ethmia 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

The only documented food source for the Zeller’s ethmia larvae are currently fernleaf phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida) leaves.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Boraginales
Hydrophyllaceae	Phacelia bipinnatifida	fernleaf phacelia