| Herpetogramma sphingealis | |
|---|---|
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| Male (top) and female (bottom) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Genus: | Herpetogramma |
| Species: | H. sphingealis |
| Binomial name | |
| Herpetogramma sphingealis L. Handfield & D. Handfield, 2011 | |
Herpetogramma sphingealis is a small species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was described as a new species in 2011.
Herpetogramma sphingealis was described by Louis Handfield and Daniel Handfield in 2011. [1]
The Latin name sphingealis refers to the sphingid-like appearance of the males. [1]
The underside of the head, thorax and abdomen, including the legs, are pure white, so it is easily spotted when flying towards a light trap. [1]
Imagoes, adult moths, are sexually dimorphic. The wingspan is 34–37 mm for males and 31–34 mm for females. Males are nearly uniform dark brown. The hind-wings are dark brown with a dark discal spot. Females have more apically-squared wings and are less uniformly dark coloured. [1]
It is found from southern Quebec southward in eastern United States to Georgia and Louisiana and as far west as Arkansas. [1]
The moth is readily attracted to light traps and flies around at the beginning of the night. It is sometimes one of the first species to come to a light trap. Its flight is darting and rapid. [1]
The caterpillars have been recorded feeding on Polystichum acrostichoides and might also feed on other species of ferns. They roll the fronds of their host plant. [1]
It occurs in the darkest areas of rich xeric forests, with maples and oaks, especially rocky, hilly, maple groves where Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, commonly occurs. With its dark-brown colour the moth is cryptically coloured in its natural habitat and well adapted to hide in the darkest shadows of the woods. [1]
The ghost moth or ghost swift is a moth of the family Hepialidae. It is common throughout Europe, except for the far south-east.
The oak hook-tip is a moth of the family Drepanidae. It is part of the Drepana subgenus Watsonalla. It is found in most of Europe except the far north. It is quite common in England and Wales, but not found in Scotland and only recently in Ireland. The species was first described by Johann Siegfried Hufnagel in 1767.
The mottled umber is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is common throughout much of the Palearctic region. The species was first described by Carl Alexander Clerck in 1759.
The light brown apple moth is a leafroller moth belonging to the lepidopteran family Tortricidae.
Svensson's copper underwing is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Charles E. Rungs in 1949. It is distributed throughout Europe including Russia east to the Urals.
Orgyia antiqua, the rusty tussock moth or vapourer, is a moth in the family Erebidae.
Polystichum acrostichoides, commonly denominated Christmas fern, is a perennial, evergreen fern native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas. It is one of the most common ferns in eastern North America, being found in moist and shady habitats in woodlands, stream banks and rocky slopes. The common name derives from the evergreen fronds, which are often still green at Christmas.
Macrothylacia rubi, the fox moth, is a lepidopteran belonging to the family Lasiocampidae. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
The black arches or nun moth is a small Palaearctic moth. It is considered a forest pest.
The map-winged swift is a moth belonging to the family Hepialidae and has a patchy distribution throughout Eurasia. The species was first described by Charles De Geer in 1778. It was previously placed in the genus Hepialus and some references still place it there.
Endotricha flammealis, the rose-flounced tabby, is a species of snout moth, family Pyralidae.
Clania ignobilis, the faggot case moth, is a species of moth of the family Psychidae. It is found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
Herpetogramma licarsisalis, commonly known as the grass webworm or pale sod-webworm, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae.
Polystichum vestitum, commonly known as the prickly shield fern or pūnui (Maori), is a hardy, evergreen or semi-evergreen ground fern.
Herpetogramma aeglealis, commonly known as the serpentine webworm moth, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1859 and is found in eastern North America.
Herpetogramma platycapna is a species of moth in the subfamily Spilomelinae of the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1897. It is found in Malaysia, Indonesia (Sulawesi), New Guinea, the Keeling Islands and Australia, where it has been recorded from the Northern Territory.
Chalastra pellurgata, also known as the brown fern moth or the pale fern looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1862. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. It inhabits native forest. This species is extremely variable both in its larval and adult life stage. Larvae of this species are active during spring and summer. They feed on the fronds of fern species. C. pellurgata pupates by forming a thin cocoon on the soil amongst leaf litter and moss. Adults are on the wing throughout the year but are most common from September to March. During the day adult moths can be observed resting on dead fern fronds. They become active from dusk and are attracted to light.
Psychoides filicivora is a moth of the family Tineidae first described by Edward Meyrick in 1937. First found in Ireland in 1909, it is possible that the moth was introduced from imported ferns from Asia. The moth can be found from spring though autumn in a series of generations. The species overwinters as a larva.
Thylacosceles acridomima, also known as the pūniu spore-eater or the micro-featherfoot, is a moth of the family Stathmopodidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889.
Herpetogramma aquilonalis is a species of pearl moth in the family Crambidae.