Nature Trivia- Moths of Arkansas, Crambidae

Families of Moths

Acrolophidae
Arctiidae
Bombycidae
Cosmopterigidae
Drepanidae
Erebidae
Gelechiidae
Geometridae
Lacturidae
Lasiocampidae
Limacodidae
Lymantriidae
Megalopygidae
Noctuidae
Nolidae
Notodontidae
Oecophoridae
Pyralidae
Saturniidae
Sphingidae
Thyrididae
Tortricidae
Yponomeutidae

 Family Crambidae

Large-spotted Evergestis Moth (Evergestis unimacula)

 Waterlily Leafcutter Moth (Synclita obliteralis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of aquatic plants, including waterlilies, duckweed, and pondweeds.  

Wingspan:

2/5 - 9/10 in. (1.0 - 2.2 cm)

Season:

May - August

Description:

Males and females of this species are sexually dimorphic; males are smaller and have broader wings, and the markings on the wings of females are less distinct.  The wings are shaded with dark brown on a background of light brown with white lines.  The white reniform spot is crescent-shaped.  

 Mint-loving Pyrausta Moth (Pyrausta acrionalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of mint plants.   

Wingspan:

3/5 -  7/10 in. (1.4 - 1.8 cm)

Season:

April - October

Description:

The deep rose to violet-colored forewings have yellow along the leading edge, terminal areas, antemedial and postmedial lines, and the fringes of the wings.  Yellow blotches are located in the middle area of the forewings.  A yellow bar is positioned at the center of the rose to gray hindwings.

 RaspberryPyrausta Moth (Pyrausta signatalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of Spotted Beebalm, or Horsemint.   

Wingspan:

1.5 - 2.2 cm (3/5 - 9/10 in.)

Season:

May - September

Description:

The deep rose-colored forewings are crossed by a yellow antemedial line and a toothed, yellow postmedial line.  The hindwings are yellowish-brown.

 Splendid Palpita (Palpita magniferalis)

Primary food plants:

 Larvae feed on the leaves of ashes.

Wingspan:

9/10 - 1 1/10 in. (2.3 - 2.7 cm)

Season:

April - October  

Description:

The pearly translucent wings of this moth are decorated with an indistinct, black band located in the median area and with black speckling.  The hindwings are brownish.

 Basswood Leafroller Moth  (Pantographa limata)

Primary food plants:

Larvae (Basswood Leafrollers) feed on the leaves of basswood and oaks.

Wingspan:

1 1/5 - 1 2/5 in. (3.0 - 3.7 cm)

Season:

April - August  

Description:

The background color of the wings is white with yellow and brown shading.  Markings include brown lines and hollow claviform, orbicular, and reniform spots.  

 Zebra Pyralid (Conchylodes ovulalis)

Primary food plants:

Unrecorded.

Wingspan:

9/10 - 1 1/10 in. (2.3 - 2.8 cm)

Season:

May - September 

Description:

Six blackish lines and a conspicuous hollow reniform spot mark the violet-tinted white wings of this moth.  

 Spotted Beet Webworm Moth (Hymenia perspectalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae (Spotted Beet Webworms) feed on a variety of plants, including beets, potatoes, amaranth, and chard.

Wingspan:

2/3 - 9/10 in. (1.6 - 2.2 cm)

Season:

May - November 

Description:

White lines cross the dark brown forewings.  Note the outward bulge at the middle of the white median line on the hindwing.

 Grape Leaffolder Moth (Desmia funeralis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on evening-primrose and redbud, in addition to wild and domestic grapes.

Wingspan:

5/6 - 1 1/10 in. (2.1 - 2.8 cm)

Season:

April - September 

Description:

The long, black forewings are narrow and pointed with two white spots on each.  One large, white spot is located on the hindwing.  The wings are partially fringed with white. 

 Paler Diacme Moth  (Diacme elealis)

Primary food plants:

Unrecorded.

Wingspan:

7/10 - 9/10 in. (1.7 - 2.3 cm)

Season:

April - September

Description:

Brown edging and lines decorate the yellow wings of this moth.  Two large, brown spots are located at the leading edges of the forewings.

 No Common Name  (Perispasta caeculalis)

Primary food plants:

Unrecorded.

Wingspan:

7/10 - 9/10 in. (1.7 - 2.3 cm)

Season:

April - August

Description:

The outer edges of the grayish-brown forewings are indented and edged with white.  These moths are sexually dimorphic; males have a white dash located in the discal are of the forewings (left photo).  Females lack this marking (pictured at center and right).