Goldcap Moss-eater

Appearance

The length of the forewings is 4.2–5.6 mm. Adults are easily distinguished from those of the other members of the genus ''Epimartyria'' in possessing uniformly dark fuscous forewings without the yellowish spots present in those species. Adults are diurnal. They can be seen perched on low foliage during the day and can
be active even in early morning after sunrise. Mating takes place in the afternoon.

Habitat

The species occurs in shaded locations, in wet swampy woods, boggy ditches, or creek sides where leafy liverworts grow.

Food

The larvae feed on the leafy, moss-like species of liverwort, including ''Bazzania trilobata''. Full-grown larvae reach a length of 5 mm. They are generally brown in color, but lighter brown ventrally. They possess a plastron which indicates the capacity to live for short periods in a subaquatic environment or, at least in a habitat that is water-saturated. Larval development probably spans over two years.