ANANIA PLECTILIS

ANANIA PLECTILIS

Anania plectilis
CRAMBID SNOUT MOTHS (Crambidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

This moth has a forewing length of about .5 inch (11.5 mm). The forewing and hindwing are brown with large pale yellow spots and accents. The brown, zigzagged postmedial line is sharply pointed on all wings. The slender caterpillar is green with a whitish dorsal longitudinal line. The head is pale green and shiny. It grows to one inch.

 

The frequency of occurrence in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. It occurs in much of North America and is considered to be common. The individual in Photo A was photographed in Fontenelle Forest in late August 2013 at artificial lights. The individual in Photo B was photographed on the Aksarben building at Camp Logan Fontenelle. Adults may be flushed from food plants during the day, but it is usually nocturnal and seen at lights. Adults fly from May to August.

 

The larval host plants are alder, elderberry, hickory, viburnum and others. The scientific name was formerly Phlyctaenia coronata. This moth belongs to the Anania coronata complex. There are 3 species in North America, A. plectilis, A. Tennesseensis and A. tertiales which occurs only in Canada. A. coronata is restricted to Europe.

 

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