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
2023-07-15	Owen	Pettigrew, Laura
2023-07-12	Brown	Jaskula, Jeanette
2023-07-09	Owen	Pettigrew, Laura
2023-07-03	Brown	Pollock, Michele
2023-05-13	Hamilton	McCord, Dan
2023-05-13	Hamilton	Kant, Nancy
2022-08-08	Morgan	Henderson, Cris
2022-05-12	Brown	Byers, Ronda	Adult
2022-05-12	Brown	Byers, Ronda	Adult
2022-05-12	Brown	Byers, Ronda	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2023-07-15 County: Owen Observer: Pettigrew, Laura Notes:
Date: 2023-07-12 County: Brown Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2023-07-09 County: Owen Observer: Pettigrew, Laura Notes:
Date: 2023-07-03 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes:
Date: 2023-05-13 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes:
Date: 2023-05-13 County: Hamilton Observer: Kant, Nancy Notes:
Date: 2022-08-08 County: Morgan Observer: Henderson, Cris Notes:
Date: 2022-05-12 County: Brown Observer: Byers, Ronda Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-12 County: Brown Observer: Byers, Ronda Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-12 County: Brown Observer: Byers, Ronda 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