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A New Species of Niditinea (Tineidae: Tineinae) with a
Preference for Bird Nests, and the Known Larval Habitats of
the Species in the United States
Author(s): Mark A. Metz, Donald R. Davis and Mignon M. Davis
Source: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington,
120(1):153-166.
Published By: Entomological Society of Washington
https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.120.1.153
URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.4289/0013-8797.120.1.153
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PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH.
120(1), 2018, pp. 153–166
A NEW SPECIES OF NIDITINEA (TINEIDAE: TINEINAE) WITH A
PREFERENCE FOR BIRD NESTS, AND THE KNOWN LARVAL
HABITATS OF THE SPECIES IN THE UNITED STATES
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B5B86FFA-9EF6-4EC9-BD21-C92017E4E13A
MARK A. METZ, DONALD R. DAVIS, AND MIGNON M. DAVIS
(MAM) USDA, ARS, Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland,
USA; (DRD, MMD) Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural
History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
MAM: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:221F8E40-12DA-43AD-85B2-E7BFF46C07C3
DRD: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:FC851800-FEE2-46CF-8C55-B4A2D5EEFF66
Abstract.—We describe and illustrateNiditinea sabroskyi, new species, the larvae
of which are associated with bird nests. We provide diagnostic information to dis-
tinguish the new species from the other two species occurring in the United States,
Niditinea fuscella (Linnaeus, 1758) and Niditinea orleansella (Chambers, 1873).
Although there is a considerable amount of published literature on the biology of the
most common species, N. fuscella, owing to the difficulty of identifying species of
Niditinea, host records are unreliable. We show that N. sabroskyi is predominantly
a bird nest associate, and that specimens identified as N. fuscella and previously
associated with bird nests are actually misidentified. We also summarize the larval
habitat information from specimens with confirmed identifications.
Key Words: host, phoebe, Polistes, prothonotary warbler, caracara, song sparrow,
American robin, European house sparrow, starling, osprey, chicken
feathers, flying squirrel, chicken coop, whale bone, grasshopper eggs,
wheat, deer tick
DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.120.1.153
The genus Niditinea Petersen, 1957
(Tineidae: Tineinae) is represented by 13
species with a presumed original Hol-
arctic distribution (Robinson 2009). Two
described species occur in North America:
N. fuscella (Linnaeus, 1758) and N. or-
leansella (Chambers, 1873). Niditinea fus-
cella is a cosmopolitan species with several
common names: brown-dotted clothes
moth, European house moth, poultry house
moth, and common clothes moth. It is
linked with human activity and traffick-
ing of goods harboring proteinaceous
stored products and/or associated arth-
ropod remains. Previous authors have
reviewed the larval associations of Nidi-
tinea, particularly N. fuscella (Robinson
and Nielsen 1993, Robinson 2009, Hinton
1956). Robinson (2009) called N. fuscella
a stored products pest but added that
records suggested it is a generalist feeder
on arthropod remains in media ranging
from bat guano and chicken manure to
artificial bird nests. The biology of the
second species, Niditinea orleansella, is
unknown, but it is morphologically similar
to species occurring in other biogeographic
regions that have been associated with tree-
hole nests (Robinson 2009). All species of
Niditinea, however, are difficult to identify
even for accomplished specialists, so bi-
ological associations recorded in the liter-
ature should be treated with caution.
We were confronted with this difficulty
as a result of a routine submission of some
caterpillars and pupae to the Systematic
Entomology Laboratory (USDA, ARS) for
identification. Mr. Mike Bailey, a volun-
teer at the Big Island Wildlife Area near
Marion, Ohio, found the specimens in the
nest of a prothonotary warbler. Fortunately,
one of the pupae contained a nearly fully
developed adult male. The male genitalia
did not match those of either N. fuscella or
N. orleansella, but the comparison of gen-
italia of the three species revealed that spec-
imens in the National Insect Collection
(USNM) identified mostly as N. fuscella
were actually three species. We also dis-
covered that every specimen associated
with bird nests were the new species from
Ohio and not the two known species.
This contribution is not intended to be
a revision of the genus nor a comprehen-
sive treatment of feeding strategies of
Niditinea, but rather a clarification of
inaccurate historical reports and a tool to
prevent further misidentification of the
species based on specimens at the USNM.
In this report we describe the new species
and provide illustrations and guidance for
the identification of the described species
that we know occur in the United States.
We also summarize the larval habitats
recorded for specimens we can correctly
identify including many that were pre-
viously misidentified in the literature. The
data suggest that the previously known
species, N. fuscella and N. orleansella, are
not associated with bird nests. All records
in the USNM of bird nest associations, in
fact, are specimens of the new species. We
hope this work provides a tool for cor-
rectly identifying the species of Niditinea
and adds to the understanding of host
specificity of larval Tineidae.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
After discovery of the new species, we
compiled all adult and immature specimens
in the USNM that had been previously de-
termined as Niditinea and explored special
collections of biological associated speci-
mens. We examined larvae for species level
characters and associated specimens of
larvae with reared adult specimens. Addi-
tional information about the specimens ex-
amined can be found in an online database
maintained by the U.S. National Museum
of Natural History, Department of Ento-
mology Collections (http://collections.
nmnh.si.edu/search/ento/; indexed by the
unique identifier USNMENTnnnnnnnn).
MAM dissected and prepared genitalia
from adult specimens following the
methods of Clarke (1941) and Robinson
(1976), took measurements with an ocular
micrometer from the left side of the spec-
imen when possible, and captured and
edited images using a Visionary Digital
imaging station and GIMP software. Mor-
phological terminology follows Kristensen
(2003). All specimens examined and the
holotype of the new species are deposited
in the NationalMuseum of Natural History,
Washington D.C., U.S.A. (USNM).
RESULTS
Niditinea Petersen, 1957: 134
Type species: Tinea fuscipunctella
Haworth, 1828: 562, by original desig-
nation [=(Phalaena) Tinea fuscella Lin-
neaus, 1758: 539].
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON154
The type of Niditinea orleansella:
Chambers (1873) described Tinea or-
leansella fromwhat apparently was a single
male specimen from New Orleans, Louisi-
ana. In the original description he recorded
a single alar expanse of 3/8 inches with no
range and a single “date” of November.
Likewise, there is no other indication in the
description of more than a single specimen.
Davis (1990) wrote there was a single
syntype in poor condition at theMuseum of
Comparative Zoology (MCZ) and no other
syntypes were known. He affixed a lecto-
type label to the specimen, but did not
publish the designation. Based on the orig-
inal description of Chambers, it seems the
specimen at the MCZ is the sole Chambers
specimen and should be considered the
holotype by monotypy. The labels of the
specimen are as follows:
white paper: Kentucky (crossed out in ink) /
Chambers. [black print]
red paper: Type [black print] / 14949 [black
ink]
white paper: male symbol genitalia on /
slide 2587 / D.R. Davis [black print except
numerals written in ink]
white label: Lectotype [red print] male
symbol [black ink] / Tinea [black ink] /
orleansella [black ink] / By [red print]
Davis Ch. [black ink]
white label: T. Orleansella [black ink] /
Chamb [black ink] / C.E.V.85 [black ink]
white label: MCZ-ENT / 00014949 / square
barcode [black print]
Niditinea sabroskyi Metz and Davis,
new species
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B5B86FFA-
9EF6-4EC9-BD21-C92017E4E13A
(Figs. 1–3, 8–11, 20)
Diagnosis.—Niditinea sabroskyi can
be distinguished from other species in
the United States by having the lighter
scales on the body and wings tending to
reddish-orange and the dark forewing
spots larger and more defined in speci-
mens that are in good condition (Figs.
2–3), but definitive identification re-
quires genitalia dissection. The valva
lacks processes on the inner face and the
apex is rounded (Fig. 9), the dorsum of
the uncus in lateral view is smoothly
rounded (Fig. 10), the apex of the uncus in
posterior view is broad and straight or
slightly emarginate, the spines on the dor-
sum of the gnathos are shorter with a
length about equal to the width of the base
(Fig. 10), the two spines on the corpus
bursae are equal in size, and the spine
arising from medioapical angle of the
signum is directed anteriorly and is inset in
a vertically oriented concavity which is
longer than wide (Fig. 20).
Etymology.—This species is named
in honor of Dr. Curtis William Sabrosky
(3 April 1910–5 October 1997) who,
although a highly recognized dipterist,
collected and took the time to pin and
spread these tiny moths. Dr. Sabrosky
served as President of the International
Commission on Zoological Nomencla-
ture (1977–1983).
Description.—Head: Scales on head
mostly reddish orange with some
creamy-white scales, scales narrow,
rough, near eye margin dark brown.
Antenna 0.7X length of forewing, scales
dark brown with copper lustre, male
flagellomeres with dense, semierect
golden setae ventrally extremely short,
scape with distinct pecten of dark brown
scales. Labial palpus 1.2X longer than
maxillary palpus, scales a reddish hue of
beige medially, dark brown laterally, first
and second segments with multiple red-
dish-beige setae ventrally, second seg-
ment with dark brown setae laterally and
at dorsal apex, some setae on dorsal apex
medially reddish beige. Maxillary pal-
pus upturned with silvery white scales.
VOLUME 120, NUMBER 1 155
Thorax: Dorsally with reddish-beige
scales mixed with few dark brown scales
throughout, long, narrow, parallel-sided,
with a patch of dark brown scales ante-
riorly on tegula and at tip of scutum,
ventral scales silvery white. Leg scales
silvery white, with dark brown scales on
anterior surface of foreleg and lateral
surface of midtibia and midtarsal seg-
ments. Forewing (Figs. 1–3) length 5.2–
6.9 mm, with all five branches of R
present and separate, Rs4 terminating on
costa before apex, accessory cell indis-
tinct, open, M1–3 all separate, CuA1–2
separate, CuP relatively distinct, 1A and
2A with basal fork, then fused for, 2/3
their remaining length, male retinaculum
moderately curved, dorsal scales reddish
beige with scattered dark brown scales,
with a more concentrated band of dark
brown scales through center of wing
from base to tip, along base of costal
margin, and in checkered pattern around
apical circumference, with three large
dark brown spots, one at apex of discal
cell, one in cell at base of R1, and one
directly posterior to that on CuP, anal
area with less dense dark brown scales
forming an anal patch below longitudi-
nal band, ventral scales brown with
copper lustre except anal area reddish
beige with silvery lustre. Fringe first row
scales reddish beige with dark brown
tips, second row scales reddish beige
with silvery lustre. Hindwing length 4.5–
6.0 mm, with M1–3 separate, CuA1, 2,
CuP, 1-3A well developed, frenulum
a single bristle in male, 2 bristles in fe-
male, scales brown with copper lustre.
Fringe first row scales reddish beige with
Fig. 1. Wing venation of♀Niditinea sabroskyi, new species (USNM slide # 28453). Scale bar = 2.0mm.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON156
silvery lustre and slightly darker tips,
second row scales reddish beige with
silvery lustre, tips compound with 3–6
branches.
Abdomen: Scales brown with coppery
lustre dorsally, reddish beige with silvery
lustre laterally and ventrally, with no
discernible pattern. Tergite 8 (Fig. 8) not
T-shaped, elongate-rectangular, length
1.5X width, posterior margin slightly
emarginate. Male genitalia (Figs. 9–11)
with tegumen rectangular, deeply emar-
ginate anteriorly, length 2X height, un-
cus in lateral view smoothly arched,
beak-like, in dorsal view triangular, apex
blunt to slightly emarginate, gnathos
subequal in length to uncus, split into
right and left halves, beak-like, with an
elevated base covered with dense spines
about equal in height to width at base,
Figs. 2–7. Dorsal habitus. 2, ♂ Niditinea sabroskyi, new species (USNMENT01200360); 3, ♀ Ni-
ditinea sabroskyi, new species (USNMENT01200384); 4,♂ Niditinea orleansella (USNMENT01200358);
5, ♀ Niditinea orleansella (USNMENT01200359); 6, ♂ Niditinea fuscella (USNMENT01200362); 7, ♀
Niditinea fuscella (USNMENT01200361). Scale bar = 2.0 mm.
VOLUME 120, NUMBER 1 157
Figs. 8–19. Male genitalia. 8, T8, Niditinea sabroskyi, new species (USNM slide # 146,486);
9, valva, same; 10, genital capsule, same, with closeup of gnathos teeth and uncus tip; 11, phallus, same.
12, T8, Niditinea orleansella, (USNM slide # 146,488); 13, valva, same; 14, genital capsule, same, with
closeup of gnathos teeth and uncus tip; 15, phallus, same. 16, T8, Niditinea fuscella, (USNM slide #
146,484); 17, valva, same; 18, genital capsule, same; 19, phallus, same. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON158
vinculum ligulate, very short in lateral
view, fused dorsally with valva, with an
anteriorly-directed, digitate saccus with
a length 30X width, apex tapered with no
expansion, valva length including trans-
tilla in lateral view 3X height at heighest
point, apex broadly rounded, lacking any
medial processes, juxta tubular, sur-
rounding phallus, with slightly extended
lateral lobes, phallus cylindrical, poste-
rior half narrower, apex deeply emar-
ginate forming lateral prongs, bulbus
ejaculatorius large and oblong, larger
than phallus, with no visible cornutus.
Female genitalia (Fig. 20) with length of
posterior apophysis 1.75X that of ante-
rior apophysis, antrum 0.2X length of
anterior apophysis, remainder of ductus
bursae very slender, approximately same
length as anterior apophysis, corpus
bursae oval, caudal end tapering to
junction with ductus bursae, length 2.3X
length of posterior apophysis, spines in
corpus bursae equal in size and at ap-
proximately same position on length of
corpus bursae, signum a pair of long,
leaf-like blades typical of genus, ce-
phalic end with acute point laterally,
medioapical angle of signum inset in
a vertically oriented concavity which is
longer than wide with spine directed
anteriorly.
Type material.—Holotype ♂ (USNM-
ENT01200219, USNM slide # 146,324),
Maryland, 13 mi. E. Cumberland, 39.7,
-78.53, 10.VII.1955, Rf Robin? Nest,
Em 10.VII.55, C.W. Sabrosky (USNM).
Paratypes: 8 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200217,
USNMENT01200218, USNMENT
01200378, USNMENT01200379, USN
MENT01200380, USNMENT01200381,
USNMENT01200382, USNMENT
01200383), 5 ♀♀ (USNMENT01200373,
USNMENT01200374, USNMENT
01200375, USNMENT01200376,
USNMENT01200377), same data as ho-
lotype (USNM).
Additional specimens examined.—
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: 1 ♂
(USNMENT01200220), Washington,
38.91, -77.04, 2.II.1913, ex birds nests
Song Spar. [Melospiza melodia] Issued
05.III.13, R.C. Shannon. FLORIDA:
2 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200875, USNMENT
01200876), 1 mi S Lake Marion, 28.04,
-81.53, 15.III.1956, reared from cara-
cara nest, Howden & Howell; 3 ♀
(USNMENT01200103, USNMENT012
00880, USNMENT01200888), Gaines-
ville, 3722 SW 19th St. S. side Bivens
Arm Lk., 29.65, -82.36, 02.IV.2014, in
chicken feathers, P. Skelley, J. Hayden; 2
♂♂ (USNMENT01200885, USNMENT
01200886), 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200878),
Gainesville, 3722 SW 19th St. S. side
Bivens Arm Lk., 29.65, -82.36, 31.
III.2014, in chicken feathers, P. Skelley,
J. Hayden; 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200877),
Gainesville, 3722 SW 19th St. S. side
Bivens Arm Lk., 29.65, -82.36, 24.
III.2014, in chicken feathers, P. Skelley;
2 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200102, USNMENT
01200889), 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200879),
Gainesville, 3722 SW 19th St. S. side
Bivens ArmLk., 29.65, -82.36, 30.III.2014,
in chicken feathers, P. Skelley. ILLINOIS:
Putnam County: 1 ♂ (USNMENT
01200887), 2.VI.1967, M.O. Glenn;
1 ♂ (USNMENT01200881), 15.VI.1965,
M.O. Glenn; 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200
882), 15.VI.1965, M.O. Glenn; 1 ♂
(USNMENT01200884), 24.VI.1965,
M.O. Glenn; 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200
883), 21.VIII.1967, M.O. Glenn; 1 ♀
(USNMENT01200892), 31.VII.1958, M.
O. Glenn; 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200
894), 27.V.1969, M.O. Glenn; 1 ♂
(USNMENT01200893), 9.VIII.1966,
M.O. Glenn. MARYLAND: 2 ♂♂ (USN
MENT01200221, USNMENT01200222),
3 ♀♀ (USNMENT01200385, USN
MENT01200386, USNMENT01200387),
Bell, 38.97, -76.8, 8.VII.1927, bred from
starling [Turdus vulgaris] nest, W.L.
VOLUME 120, NUMBER 1 159
McAtee; 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200384),
Bethesda, 38.98, -77.1, 11.VIII.1959,
rf robin’s nest; em 11.VIII.59, C.W.
Sabrosky; 3 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200
105, USNMENT01200345, USNMENT
01200347), 6 ♀♀ (USNMENT01200104,
USNMENT01200346, USNMENT012
00348, USNMENT01200349, USN
MENT01200350, USNMENT01200351),
Jackson’s Island, 38.04, -75.83, 11.
VIII.1919, in phoebe nest, H. Barber;
2 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200106, USNMENT
01200107), Wittman, 38.8, -76.28, 03.
IX.1984, from osprey nest over open water
of tidal river, W.E. Steiner & J.E. Lowry; 1
♂ (USNMENT01200243), 1 ♀ (USN
MENT01200244), Wittman, 38.8, -76.28,
30.IX.1984, HOST: DRD533 nest of os-
prey, em. 30.IX.1984, W. Steiner; 1 ♀
(USNMENT01200224), Wittman,
38.8, -76.28, 02.II.2008, dormant Po-
listes nest em. 3–5.III.2008, Warren
E. Steiner, Jill M. Swearingen; 1 ♀
(USNMENT00430453), Plummers Is-
land, VII.1905, A. Busck; 1 ♂ (USN
MENT01200891), Prince Georges
County, Glenridge, 12.VII.1987, J.F.G.
Clarke; 2 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200890,
USNMENT01200899), Oxon Hill,
Henson Creek, 3.IX.1983, D.R. Davis; 1♀
(USNMENT01200895), same locality, 16.
VIII.1978, D.R. Davis. MASSACHU-
SETTS: 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200896),
Martha’s Vineyard, F.M. Jones, 1.IX;
1♂ (USNMENT01200898), same data,
19.VIII.1949; 1 ♂ (USNMENT012
00897), same data, 16.VIII.1948; 1 ♂
(USNMENT01200900), same data, 3.
VIII; 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200901), Barn-
stable, 18.VIII.1952, C.P. Kimball; 1 ♂
(USNMENT01200902), same data, 1.
VII.1949; 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200903),
same data, 4.IX.1952. MISSOURI: 1 ♀
(USNMENT01200904), Jackson County,
Independence, 30.VIII.1967, taken at
UV light, J.R. Heitzman. NEW HAMP-
SHIRE: 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200905),
Hampton, 7.VIII.1904, S.A. Shaw. NEW
JERSEY: 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200909),
Oakland, 12.VIII.1948, C.P. Kimball;
1 ♂ (USNMENT01200907), Camden,
10.IX.1968. NEW YORK: 2 ♂♂ (USN
MENT01200360, USNMENT01200
908), Long Island, Eatons Neck, 8.
VI.1971, E. Jăckh; 1 ♂ (USNMENT
01200906), same data, 9.VI.1971;
2 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200923, USNMENT
01200931), Ithaca, Six Mile Creek, 29.
V.1959, R.W. Hodges; 2 ♂♂ (USN
MENT01200919, USNMENT01200933),
same data, 19.IX.1957; 1 ♂ (USN
MENT01200917), same data, 13.
IX.1958; 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200927),
same data, 26.V.1959; 2 ♂♂ (USN
MENT01200925, USNMENT0120
0928), same locality, 31.V.1957, J.G.
Franclemont; 1 ♂ (USNMENT012
00932), same data, 31.VIII.1957; 1 ♂
(USNMENT01200916), same data, 6.
V.1957; 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200916),
Monroe County, 11.VIII.1949, C.P.
Kimball; 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200922),
same data, 3.VIII.1949; 1 ♂ (USNMENT
01200913), same data, 16.VI.1949.
NORTH CAROLINA: 1 ♂ (USNMENT
01200343), 1 ♀ (USNMENT
01200388), Wilmington, 34.23, -77.94,
10.VIII.1918, bred from human ex-
creta Hunter # 9149, Max Kisliuk; 1 ♀
(USNMENT01200389), same data,
29.VIII.1919; 1 ♂ (USNMENT012
00342), 1 ♀ (USNMENT01200344), same
data, 7.VIII.1918; 1 ♂ (USNMENT
01200124), same data, 14.VIII.1919.
OHIO: 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200874),
Big Island Wildlife Area, 40.59, -83.24,
11.IX.2007, found inside prothonotary
warbler nest. OKLAHOMA: 1 ♂ (USN
MENT01200929), Sequoyah County,
Tenkiller Lake, 3 mi W. Blackgum, 6–9.
VII.1979, D. & M. Davis; 1 ♀ (USN
MENT01200918), Murray County, Ar-
buckle Mts., 1 kmW. Turner Falls, 19–30.
VII.1984, Don &Mignon Davis. TEXAS:
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON160
1 ♀ (USNMENT01200911), Harris
County, Houston, 8.III.1968, A. & M.E.
Blanchard; 2 ♂♂ (USNMENT01200926,
USNMENT01200934), Kerrville, Bishop
No 17,287, 25.IX.1931, A.W. Lindquist.
WEST VIRGINIA: 1 ♀ (USNMENT
01200920), Morgan County, Sleepy Creek
Forest, 17.VII.2008, J. Glaser; 1 ♀
(USNMENT01200912), same data, 15.
VII.2006; 1 ♂ (USNMENT01200930),
same data, 21.V.2011; 1 ♂ (USNMENT
01200914), same data, 8.IX.2005.
Distribution.—We identified speci-
mens from the District of Columbia,
Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachu-
setts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and West
Virginia.
Remarks.—We explored DNA-barcode
evidence that shows there are at
least three undescribed species of Nidi-
tinea in North America. Specimens in
hand that we determined to be N. or-
leansella sensu stricto by dissection,
belong to a group of specimens with
a haplotype distinct from three other
species clusters formed by North
American specimens identified as N.
orleansella and a cluster of European
specimens identified as N. striolella
Matsumura, 1931. We do not have bar-
code data for any specimens we identi-
fied as N. sabroskyi, so we do not know if
they would form one or more additional
clusters or belong to one of the clusters
misidentified as N. orleansella. We do
not anticipate conducting additional re-
visionary work on Niditinea in the near
future, but feel clarifying the host asso-
ciations warrants a description of the
new species. Because of the DNA-barcode
evidence, the great difficulty identify-
ing species historically, and to prevent
further taxonomic problems in the fu-
ture, we designate as type material only
the series of specimens collected by
Dr. Sabrosky near Cumberland, Mary-
land. While our current examination al-
lows us to differentiate this new species
from the others known to occur in North
America and the level of morphological
variation does not allow circumscribing
more distinct species, we acknowledge
the possibility of delineating more spe-
cies in the future with molecular data.
Adult specimens of Niditinea from the
United States in good condition can be
identified to species by color alone. The
scales of the head and dorsum of the
thorax of N. sabroskyi tend towards
reddish-orange, and the anal area of the
forewing is less infuscate (Figs. 2–3).
The head and thoracic scales of N. or-
leansella tend to creamy-white with dark
gray to black scales, and the anal area of
the forewing is usually infuscate with
dark gray scales (Figs. 4–5). The head
and thoracic scales of N. fuscella are
darker, but tend towards brown with dark
brown scales, and the anal area of the
forewing is less differentiated, usually
with a broad band or spot adjacent to the
hind margin (Figs. 6–7). The species can
easily be distinguished based on male
genitalia (Figs. 8–19). The valva of N.
fuscella is rectangular at the apex with
medial processes (Figs. 17–18). The
valva of the other two species lack me-
dial processes; the apex is narrowly ta-
pered in N. orleansella (Figs. 13–14)
and broadly rounded in N. sabroskyi
(Figs. 9–10). Both N. orleansella and
N. sabroskyi have a dense patch of
spines on the dorsal surface of the gna-
thos. These patches are dark and dis-
tinct and often visible on undissected
specimens, sometimes appearing as two
dark dots. The spines on N. sabroskyi are
noticeably longer, which can be seen at
moderate magnification with a stereomi-
croscope. Another feature sometimes
visible in undissected males is the apex
of the uncus, which is broad and sometimes
VOLUME 120, NUMBER 1 161
emarginate on N. sabroskyi, narrow and
blunt on N. orleansella, and pointed
in N. fuscella. Females can also be
identified to species based on the geni-
talia (Figs. 20–22). In N. fuscella there
are at least three spines on the medi-
oapical angle of the signum, whereas
there is only one in the other species.
In N. sabroskyi the spine is inset in
a depression (Fig. 20) whereas in
N. orleansella the spine is at the end of
a tube elevated above the surface of the
signum (Fig. 21).
We found no morphological charac-
ters among the limited sample of larvae
at hand to differentiate the species, so
larval habitat data is based only on the
adult specimens we could determine
using morphology of the genitalia and
association by event. All of these records
are from localities in the United States
(Fig. 24). We found a total of 80 speci-
mens with biological associations in-
dicating larval habitat distributed among
the three species of Niditinea: 12 events
from 12 different localities involving N.
fuscella, nine events from seven differ-
ent localities involving N. orleansella,
and 12 events from 10 separate localities
involving N. sabroskyi (Figs. 23–24).
Niditinea fuscella is most diverse in
larval habitat being recorded from dried
potatoes, “hair mattress,” dead Isabella
tiger moth, American robin carcass, dry
animal feed, chicken coop, whale bone,
grasshopper eggs, wheat, deer tick car-
cass, and bird seed. There are only two
larval habitats of N. orleansella, nests of
Polistes and a flying squirrel nest box,
but there are five independent events of
N. orleansella being reared from an
abandoned Polistes nest. Niditinea sab-
roskyi is recorded from many different
and varied events, but the majority are
the nests of birds. The larval habitats of
N. sabroskyi include nests of phoebe,
Polistes, prothonotary warbler, caracara,
song sparrow, American robin, European
house sparrow, starling, osprey, human
privy, and chicken feathers. The single
event of N. sabroskyi reared from
a Polistes nest involved specimens that
were cohabitating with specimens of N.
orleansella from the same abandoned
nest.
DISCUSSION
The association of N. sabroskyi with
the nests of birds is strongly supported
with few exceptions. The three excep-
tions - abandoned Polistes nest, human
privy, and chicken feathers - deserve
some exploration. While there are obvi-
ous similarities between an abandoned
insect nest and chicken feathers with the
nests of birds, the association with hu-
man waste seems less obvious. The
specimens of N. sabroskyi from North
Carolina are specifically noted as being
from “human excreta,” but this may be
an overstatement. The specimens were
collected by Max Kisliuk, Jr. (United
States Bureau of Entomology) in part “to
study the insects involved [with the
problem of sanitary disposal of human
excreta in unsewered communities]”
(Annual Report of the Surgeon General
of the Public Health Service of the
United States, U.S. Government Printing
Office, 1920, p. 70). We could not find
details of this study, however, the report
included descriptions of different types
of privies and mostly flies that issue from
the treatments of human waste. Three of
the Kisliuk specimens include silk co-
coons covered with sand grains, so we
suspect these specimens emerged from
a habitat associated with human waste
and all the insects associated with human
waste, and that the larvae are feeding not
on human waste, but products of the
associates with the waste. It could be that
females of N. sabroskyi prefer to ovi-
posit in cryptic habitats with detritus.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON162
Figs. 20–22. Female genitalia. 20, Niditinea sabroskyi, new species (USNM slide # 146,487);
21, Niditinea orleansella, (USNM slide # 146,489); 22, Niditinea fuscella, (USNM slide # 146,485) with
magnification of spines on signum. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.
VOLUME 120, NUMBER 1 163
This would include not only bird nests,
but any other secluded site with a food
source. We only can infer from reared
records from known sources and not from
specimens collected pseudo-randomly
(e.g., at light). The distribution of the
species (Fig. 24) does not seem to suggest
any spatial relationship, rather it probably
indicates undersampling.
Almost more profound is the lack of
association with bird nests of N. fuscella,
which is reported widely in the literature
as a nest associate. We can speak directly
to one particular source of this in-
formation. Waldo Lee McAtee (1927,
1929) conducted two successive assess-
ments of the insects associated with
bird houses in localities in Maryland.
In his first report (1927) he recorded
many specimens of Tinea sp. associated
with nests of different species of birds,
but in his subsequent report (1929) he
identified species as Tinea fuscipunctella
Haworth (= N. fuscella) including spec-
imens in his previous report (1927). A
great number of the specimens McAtee
examined are probably lost, but we can
confirm at least some of his specimens
from nests of starling, phoebe, and En-
glish sparrow are actually N. sabroskyi.
Hinton (1956) cites McAtee and many
other sources we cannot verify with the
specimens at hand. We suspect the error
occurring in McAttee’s works (1927,
1929) is the case for many more of the
bird nest associations erroneously re-
peated in reviews of the literature for N.
fuscella. Our findings suggest N. fuscella
is much more general in larval habitat
preference, so less prone to cryptic
Fig. 23. Known larval habitats of the species of Niditinea in the United States. The variety of “hosts”
is indicated by the number of image circles inside the colored triangles associated with each species of
Niditinea. The size of an image circle indicates the number of records documenting the “host,” ranging
from a single record for most image circles up to a maximum of five independent records of N. or-
leansella reared from uninhabited Polistes nests. “Hosts” of N. sabroskyi include nests of phoebe, Po-
listes, prothonotary warbler, caracara, song sparrow, American robin, European house sparrow, starling,
osprey; human privy, and chicken feathers. “Hosts” of N. orleansella include nests of Polistes and flying
squirrel. “Hosts” of N. fuscella include dried potatoes, “hair mattress,” dead Isabella tiger moth,
American robin carcass, dry animal feed, chicken coop, whale bone, grasshopper eggs, wheat, deer tick
carcass, and bird seed. See Acknowledgements for image credits.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON164
feeding like in a bird nest. Again, there
does not appear to be any spatial pattern
among the specimens for which we had
larval habitat data (Fig. 24).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank Mr. Michael Bailey (vol-
unteer) and Ms. Donna Schwab (Assis-
tant Wildlife Management Supervisor,
ODNR) from Big Island Wildlife Area
for submitting the specimens for identi-
fication that inspired this work. Philip D.
Perkins and Rachel L. Hawkins (Mu-
seum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard
University) facilitated access to images
of the type of N. orleansella. Reinhard
Gaedike, Marko Mutanen, Greg Pohl,
Jeremy deWaard, Arild Johnson, Jayme
Sones, Ken Stead, Tomasz Jaworski, and
Jean-Franc¸ois Landry provided access to
barcoded specimens in the Barcode of
Life Data Systems to help in determining
the distribution of the United States spe-
cies. Two anonymous reviewers provided
very helpful and insightful suggestions.
Mention of trade names or commercial
products in this publication is solely for
the purpose of providing specific in-
formation and does not imply recom-
mendation or endorsement by the
USDA; USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer. Image credits:
Polistes nest, Hornetboy1970, https://
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red-
WaspNest_cropped.jpg; flying squirrel,
Laszlo Ilyes, https://www.flickr.com/
photos/laszlo-photo/927878773; dog food,
Marco Verch, https://commons.wikimedia.
org/wiki/File:Trockenfutter_-_Hundefutter_
(23218256045).jpg; European house
sparrow, Chris Waits, https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passer_domesticus_
female_(4)_(cropped).jpg; starling, Tim
Felce, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
wiki/File:Starling_(5503763150).jpg; song
Fig. 24. Localities for the records documenting the known larval habitats of the species of Niditinea
in the United States.
VOLUME 120, NUMBER 1 165
sparrow, Linda Tanner, https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melospiza_melodia_
5.jpg; prothonotary warbler, Mdf and
Fir0002, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
File:Protonotaria-citrea-002_edit.jpg;
eastern phoebe, Katja Schulz, https://
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_
Phoebe_(15342146618).jpg; American
robin, Mdf, https://commons.wikimedia.
org/wiki/File:Turdus-migratorius-002.jpg;
crested caracara, Manjith Kainickara,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Crested_Caracara_2.jpg.
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