Mellilla

Mellilla is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. Its only species, Mellilla xanthometata, the orangewing moth, was first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is found in most of eastern North America.[1][2]

Mellilla
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Genus:	Mellilla Grote, 1873
Species:	M. xanthometata
Binomial name
Mellilla xanthometata (Walker, 1862)
Synonyms
Generic Gonilythria Gumppenberg, 1887 Specific Fidonia xanthometata Walker, 1862 Mellilla chamaechrysaria Grote, 1873 Lythria rilevaria Packard, 1876 Lythria snoviaria Packard, 1876

The wingspan is about 16–21 mm. Adults have been recorded on wing in early spring and again in late June in two generations per year. Adults are active during both the day and night.

The larvae feed on Gleditsia triacanthos.[3]

References

1. "910691.00 – 6271.1 – Mellilla xanthometata – Orangewing Moth – (Walker, 1862)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
2. Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul (November 5, 2004). "Mellilla Grote, 1873". Butterflies and Moths of the World. Natural History Museum, London. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
3. Cotinis (December 2, 2017). "Species Mellilla xanthometata - Orange Wing - Hodges#6271.1". BugGuide. Retrieved June 21, 2019.