Euclemensia bassettella — Kermes Scale Moth

Clemens, 1864

Hodges# 1365

Etymology

Euclemensia: Combines the Greek word eu, meaning “good” with the name of one of the entomologists that described the genus, James Brackenridge Clemens (1825 – 1867). The common zoological Greek suffix ia is used to form nouns.

bassettella: The exact origin of bassett is unknown. However, the authors believe that this species' name likely honors the well-known entomologist, Homer Franklin Bassett (1826 – 1902) whose area of focus included gall wasps. Clemens, of whom the genus is named for, and Bassett were American entomologist contemporaries who both resided along the east coast during the same time. The suffix ella is Latin for “small.”

Kermes: The common name for this moth comes from the Kermes genus of scale insects that feed on evergreen oak trees and who produce a red dye, also called kermes.

Pronunciation

yoo-klem-en-see-uh bas-uh-tell-uh

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the kermes scale moth 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
2022-06-26	Newton	Joll, Chris	Adult
2022-06-26	Newton	Joll, Chris	Adult
2021-07-22	Newton	Jaskula, Jeanette	Adult
2020-07-23	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-07-23	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-07-23	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-07-23	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-07-19	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult
2020-07-19	Newton	Welton, Rick	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2022-07-08 County: Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2022-06-26 County: Newton Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-06-26 County: Newton Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-07-22 County: Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-23 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-23 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-23 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-23 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-19 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-19 County: Newton Observer: Welton, Rick Notes: Adult

Euclemensia bassettella 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

Euclemensia bassettella caterpillars are parasites of scale insects.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Hemiptera
Kermesidae	Allokermes spp.	scale insect