Hyposmocoma trivitella

Hyposmocoma trivitella is a species of moth of the Cosmopterigidae family. It is endemic to Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. The type locality is Haleakala.

Adults have strong white, brown and magenta longitudinal bands on the forewing.

The larvae feed on Elaphoglossum reticulatum and Elapkoglossum gorgoneum. The larvae mine the leaves of their host plant, resulting in a blotch mine.

Original description of larva and pupa

Full-grown larva 8 mm; dirty whitish yellow; head very pale brownish, much retracted into segment prothorax; eyes dark brown; cervical shield concolorous; tubercles concolorous. Pupa 7 mm., light yellowish-brown; eyes black; wing-sheaths and antennae-sheaths extend to apex of seventh abdominal segment; a cluster of bristles at apex of abdomen hooked into silk cocoon. The pupa is formed within the mine in a slight cocoon covered with pellets of frass.

— Swezey, 1913

Taxonomy

There is an error in the construction of the specific name. Dr. Swezey meant to refer to the three vittae on the forewings, which he mentioned in his original description, and the name should have been spelled trivittella. It was originally spelled trivitella, which would refer to "three lives", and the name would have no meaning in this instance.

External links

• Insects of Hawaii. Volume 9, Microlepidoptera
• Species information