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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Hepialidae 110019.1 – 0022   Sthenopis pretiosus (Herrich-Schäffer, [1856] 1855)              Gold-spotted Ghost Moth

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Larva and Host Plants: Host familiy: Athyriaceae[Dryopteridaceae][Woodsiaceae] Onocleaceae[Dryopteridaceae].  Host genera: Athyrium Dryopteris Matteuccia.  Host extended: leaves, roots & stems (McCabe & Wagner 1989).  (Kimberley & Douglas 2025) Similar Species: Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.) Synonymy: pretiosus (Herrich-Schäffer, [1856] 1855) (Epiolus [sic]) - MONA 1983: [NEW] auratus (Grote, 1878) (Hepialus) - MONA 1983: [22] eldorado (Pfitzner, 1906) (Phassus) Taxonomic Notes: Sthenopis pretiosus (Herrich-Schäffer, [1856] 1855) includes as a synonym [0022] Sthenopis auratus (Grote, 1878) in Mielke & Grehan (2015), The European Entomologist, 7(4): 121-122.

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history) Herrich-Schäffer, 1850-1858. Sammlung neuer oder wenig bekannter aussereuropäischer Schmetterlinge, 1(1): 57; pl [111], fig. 505. Mielke G.C. & J.R. Grehan, 2015. Description of a new species of Phassus Walker, 1856 from Costa Rica, Pallas, gen. n., with a new species from Guatemala, and taxonomic notes on Sthenopis Packard, [1865] (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae). The European Entomologist, 7(4): 121-122. Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at BugGuide.Net Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at iNaturalist

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