Other Common Names
Hawaiian Beet Webworm
Spinach Moth (in Namibia, Africa)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Spoladea recurvalis (Fabricius) 1794
Orig. Comb: Phalaena recurvalis Fabricius, 1775
Hymenia recurvalis (Fabricius)
* phylogenetic sequence #154600
Explanation of Names
recurvalis: may refer to the recurved "tooth" at the tip of the white median band on the forewing which resembles an angler's fish-hook
Numbers
The only species in this genus in North America.
Identification
Adult: forewing dark brown or gray with broad white median band beginning at inner margin and terminating in "fish-hook" shape before reaching costa; broad white PM band beginning at costa and terminating part-way across wing, with three white spots beyond it; fringe of both wings with dark and light patches
hindwing dark brown with broad white median band across wing; band is fairly straight with smooth margins outlined in black
Larva: body brownish-green with sparse white hairs; thin black dorsal line, broad dark subdorsal stripes, and paler yellowish sides and bottom
Range
mostly e US to c CA -
Map (MPG)
Also occurs in Hawaii, the Neotropics, and Australia, Africa, southeast Asia
Habitat
gardens, fields, waste places
Season
mostly Aug-Nov, but yr round in FL (BG data)
Food
larvae feed on beets, chard, spinach, and various weeds such as Amaranthus and Chenopodium species
Remarks
In Europe it is a migratory species. Adults have been observed in England, but not larvae.
See Also
Spotted Beet Webworm Moth (
Hymenia perspectalis) has thinner and less sharp white bands on forewing, median band lacks fish-hook shape, and hindwing band is toothed and bulges outward in middle.
Print References
Fabricius, J. C. 1775: Systema entomologicae, sistens insectorum classes, ordines, genera, species, adjectis synonymis, locis, descriptionibus, observationibus. – Kortii, Flensburgi et Lipsiae. 644.
Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. p.179, pl.23.37
(1)
Internet References
pinned adult image - Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona
live larva image - Alton Sparks, U. of Georgia, insectimages.org
