Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760
Parapoynx obscuralis
This record describes Parapoynx obscuralis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing of male white with variable brown shading and thick white PM line; forewing of female nearly all dark brown; hindwing white with brown or blackish ST band and orange terminal band Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larva: branched gills on all body segments except head and prothorax (applies to all larvae in genus Parapoynx ) larva is a casemaker
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acentropinae
- Tribe
- Nymphulini
- Genus
- Parapoynx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
larvae are aquatic, developing in rivers and streams (but apparently not ponds or other standing water); adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
eastern North America (Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on eelgrass ( Vallisneria , pondweed ( Potamogeton ), yellow waterlily ( Nuphar ), and other aquatic plants
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Parapoynx obscuralis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760
What is Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760?
Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760 (Parapoynx obscuralis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760?
wingspan 17-26 mm
How do you identify Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760?
Adult: forewing of male white with variable brown shading and thick white PM line; forewing of female nearly all dark brown; hindwing white with brown or blackish ST band and orange terminal band Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larva: branched gills on all body segments except head and prothorax (applies to all larvae in genus Parapoynx )
Where is Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | larvae are aquatic, developing in rivers and streams (but apparently not ponds or other standing water); adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | eastern North America (Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario) |
What does Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760 eat?
The diet of the Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760 includes larvae feed on eelgrass ( Vallisneria , pondweed ( Potamogeton ), yellow waterlily ( Nuphar ), and other aquatic plants.
When is Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760 active?
Obscure Pondweed Moth - Hodges#4760: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.