Observation date: June 04, 2023
Submitted by: sauron978
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This day was the first time I have observed Choreutis emplecta moths appearing to seek out mates in large numbers. My original sighting in Octover 2022 was confirmed by the Florida Department of Agriculture as the first scientific proof of their presence in Florida. A sample I sent in for DNA testing came back positive. Over the last 9 months I've watched the Boynton colony grow from just a few sightings to concentrations of hundreds of Choreutids. Today however, they may have been in the thousands, as in some areas they were literally swarming into my face. I walked for a mile and just about every hedge I passed of Ficus, Surinam cherry, miniature umbrella tree, cocoplum, and Clusia had active Choreutids present. I also have recently tracked their spread into Miami-Dade County and have taken aditional photographs.
Status: Unknown
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: July 13, 2023
Coordinator notes: None.
