About Crocidosema plebejana Zeller, 1847
This species is Crocidosema plebejana Zeller, 1847. Adult C. plebejana have a wingspan of 12 to 16 mm. Males are dark brown to black, and have a white ocellus and a dorsal patch. Females are pale brown to tan, with a dark basal patch that does not extend to the costa. A full species description was published by Julius von Kennel. In seasonal climate regions within this moth's range, adults fly from midsummer to early autumn; for example, they can be seen flying from July to October in southern England. It is still uncertain whether this species produces multiple broods per year in tropical regions. For instance, on the Marquesas Islands, this moth has only ever been recorded between January and April. Adult moths are active during the evening and are attracted to lights. The larvae feed mostly inside the seed capsules and shoots of plants in the Malvaceae family. This includes China jute (Abutilon theophrasti), marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), tree mallow (Lavatera arborea), arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia), various Gossypium (cotton) species, and various Malva (typical mallow) species. Caterpillars of this species have also been found on other eudicots, including Crataegus hawthorns (Rosaceae), Cucurbita pepo pumpkins (Cucurbitaceae), and Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). The caterpillars may occasionally become cotton pests.
