A synopsis of the genus Ethmia Huebner in Costa Rica: biology, distribution, and description of 22 new species (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea, Depressariidae, Ethmiinae), with emphasis on the 42 species known from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste Author Phillips-Rodriguez, Eugenie Author Powell, Jerry A. Author Hallwachs, Winnie Author Janzen, Daniel H. text ZooKeys 2014 461 1 86 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.461.8377 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.461.8377 1313-2970-461-1 350663FDE2024E61968548B2109EDFF8 Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Depressariidae Ethmia bittenella (Busck) Figures 2, 47, 92, 147 Tamarrha bittenella Busck, 1906: 730. Ethmia bittenella Meyrick, 1914: 28; Powell 1973 : 119. Diagnosis. Ethmia bittenella is most similar to Ethmia delliella but can be distinguished by its smaller size, the FW pattern composed of groups of small dark dots, and the presence of a FW gray costal margin. Description. Male: FW length 7.8-8.3 mm (n = 4). Head: Scaling of front and crown smooth, white. Thorax: Pronotal scaling white; paired large spots, black, reflecting metallic blue, between tegulae and on scutellum. FW ground color white, markings blackish brown; a round spot on posterior half near base; gray costal margin. HW whitish basally, becoming pale brownish apically; costa dorsally with thick ochreous hair pencil from base to end of cell. Abdomen: Genitalia (Fig. 47) with uncus short, hood like; basal processes short, about 1.2 x uncus length; spines of anterior portion of gnathos large, valva large in relation to tegumen, with apical notch 0.20 x of valva. Female: FW length 8.7-9.8 mm (n = 3). Head and thorax: As described for male, HW unmodified. Abdomen: Genitalia (Fig. 92) with sterigma wide surrounding ostium; ductus unsclerotized; signum as in Ethmia delliella . Holotype. Female: USA, Texas, Brownsville, in copula, 29 May 1904. USNM Type No. 9272 [USNM, examined]. Distribution and biology. Ethmia bittenella has been collected from Texas to southern Mexico and in northwestern Costa Rica ( Powell 1973 ). In Costa Rica (Fig. 147) it is a common species in the dry forest of ACG, and has been found from 100 to 600 m on both slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica de Guanacaste, the Cordillera Tilaran , and Peninsula de Nicoya. The food plant and immature stages are unknown. However, barely legible labels on Texas specimens say "anacua" and "anagua" , which suggest that this species feeds on Ehretia anacua ( Teran & Berland.) I.M. Johnst. ( Boraginaceae ) in Texas.