Gerdana caritella

Busck, 1908

Hodges# 1144

Etymology

Gerdana: Unknown

caritella: Combines the Latin word carit meaning “love or affection” with the suffix ella for “small.”

Pronunciation

gur-dan-uh kar-ih-tel-uh

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Gerdana caritella 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
2019-08-29	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult
2019-08-22	Marion	Schwedler, Kat	Adult
2019-08-01	Fountain	Frazier, Carla	Adult
2019-07-27	Scott	Lowry, Brian	Adult Confirmed by Bamona

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2019-08-29 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-22 County: Marion Observer: Schwedler, Kat Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-08-01 County: Fountain Observer: Frazier, Carla Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-27 County: Scott Observer: Lowry, Brian Notes: Adult Confirmed by Bamona

Gerdana caritella 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 larval food of Gerdana caritella caterpillars appears to be under-researched. According to bugguide.net, the larvae feed on “fungus-like Witches’-broom, mistletoe, bird nest debris, and fungus on spruce (Picea),” but there are no accompanying citations.

Known Floral Associates in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Pinales
Pinaceae	Picea spp.	spruce
Order: Viscaceae
Viscaceae	Phoradendron leucarpum	eastern mistletoe