Sarah Knapik, a senior biology major at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), has made an exciting contribution to the field of entomology with her recent discovery. While working on her bug collection for an entomology class, Knapik uncovered a previously unrecorded moth species in New Jersey, marking a significant scientific discovery.
A Colorful Discovery
Knapik’s discovery, the Lepidotarphius Perornatella, is a vibrant moth species native to East Asia. This is only the second time this species has been recorded in the United States, with the previous sighting in Iowa in 2017. The discovery was made while Knapik was scouting around the storm drain at Lake Ceva. She will be documenting the moth and its location on bugguide.net, receiving credit for this significant find on the East Coast.
Collaborative Effort in Classification
Initially unable to identify the moth, Knapik consulted her professor, Mark Mayer, who reached out to Ryan Rieder of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for assistance. Rieder, the bureau chief of plant pest and disease control, confirmed the moth’s identity. The Lepidotarphius Perornatella is described as particularly attractive, with two-thirds of its wings being metallic green and the rear portion orange with silver spots. This discovery underlines the importance of collaborative efforts in scientific research and species identification.