Carcina ingridmariae (Peleopodidae)

Carcina ingridmariae, Crete - photo © K. Bormpoudaki

MOTH INFO

Carcina ingridmariae is a moth of the family Peleopodidae on the island of Crete, Greece.

Scientific name

Carcina ingridmariae Huemer, 2025

Common name

–

Classification

Superfamily: Gelechioidea > Family: Peleopodidae > Genus: Carcina

Wingspan

15-21 mm

Habitat

According to the literature, it occurs in various wooded or shrub-rich habitats, from lowland to mountainous areas, ranging from the coastline up to approximately 1500 m altitude, and it is attracted to artificial light; however, details concerning its ecology remain unknown (Huemer 2025).

The two adult specimens illustrated here were also attracted to artificial light. Specifically:

Photos 1–2: In May 2026, in phrygana with sparse, low-growing vegetation in northern Heraklion pr., at an elevation of 130 m and approximately 2 km from the coastline.

Photo 3: In October 2026, in a wooded scrub habitat with Quercus macrolepis, Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex, and Quercus pubescensand numerous other woody plants, in the lower mountainous zone of central Rethymno pr., at an elevation of 250 m and approximately 6 km from the coastline.

Food plant

The biology of the species has not yet been described, but extensive data concerning the larval phenology and host-plant spectrum of the presumed Carcina quercana from Greece most probably refer to this new species. According to Huemer 2025, Carcina ingridmariae appears to occur on all oak species examined in the Chalkidiki area. Of these, Quercus macrolepis, Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex, and Quercus pubescens are also present in Crete. However, as in Carcina quercana, the species is considered likely to feed on a wider range of woody plants, as also suggested by records of Carcina ingridmariae from northern Cyprus, where Quercus species are absent.

It should be noted that in the wider area where the photographed specimen in photos 1-2 was recorded, the only oak species present is Quercus coccifera.

Flight period

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Links

Lepiforum e. V.

Huemer P (2025) The supposedly unmistakable mistaken: Carcina ingridmariae sp. nov., a surprising example of overlooked diversity from Europe and the Near East (Lepidoptera, Peleopodidae). Alpine Entomology 9: 51-63.

Carcina ingridmariae Huemer, 2025