Identification
Adult Markings: The external coloration and patterning of Aroga epigaeella is essentially identical to that of A. argutiola and A. trialbamaculella, and all three of these species are best distinguished using dissected genitalia. The following description is based on the description of A. argutiola by Hodges (1974a) and should also apply A. epigaeella . The maxillary palp is gray. The outer surface of the first segment and base of the second segment of the labial palp are gray, while the inner surface of the first and second segments are mainly white. The scale brush on the second segment is pale orange to red-orange, while the third segment is mainly dark gray with yellowish-white scales at the base, anterior margin, apex, and sometimes elsewhere. The frons is white with a row of gray-brown scales in front of the eye, and the vertex and occiput are gray. The antenna is dark gray. The dorsal surfaces of the thorax, tegula, and forewing are dark gray. There is a patch of white scales on the costa at three-fourths the wing length, and often one on the posterior margin at three-fourths the wing length. A few white scales are often present on the fold, just before and just beyond one-half the length of the fold. A few white scales are also present at two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the cell, and at the end of the cell. The fringe is mainly pale gray. The hindwing is mainly pale yellowish gray above, with yellow more intense on the outer third of the wing. The legs are mainly dark gray, with off-white to whitish markings.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is poorly documented. Chambers (1881) received specimens from a colleague that were overwintering under a silken web on the undersides of Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens ). They presumably resume feeding with the spring warm-up and leaf-out. When feeding, the side of the leaf was either curled over, or several leaves were tied together to form a shelter. Chambers (1881) described the larvae as having a straw-colored head and prothoracic shield, with the anterior margin of the head more reddish-brown, and the posterior margin of the prothoracic shield dark-brown with a dark-brown spot on each side. The remaining regions of the body were yellowish-white or whitish and striped longitudinally to varying degrees with pink or reddish stripes. Tubercular spots were present on the abdomen.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
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