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Species Parapoynx allionealis - Watermilfoil Leafcutter - Hodges#4764

Representative Images

Moth - Parapoynx allionealis Watermilfoil Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4764 - Parapoynx allionealis moth 14 - Parapoynx allionealis Watermilfoil Leafcutter - Parapoynx allionealis Watermilfoil Leafcutter - Parapoynx allionealis Pennsylvania Moth - Parapoynx allionealis Watermilfoil Leafcutter - Parapoynx allionealis Watermilfoil Leafcutter - Parapoynx allionealis
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Pyraloidea (Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths)
Family Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
Subfamily Acentropinae
Tribe Nymphulini
Genus Parapoynx
Species allionealis (Watermilfoil Leafcutter - Hodges#4764)

Hodges Number

4764

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Parapoynx allionealis (Walker, 1859)
Hydrocampa allionealis Walker, 1859

Identification

Range

Adults have been recorded on wing year round in the southern part of the range. (1)

Food

Caterpillars feed on various aquatic plants, e.g. white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata, floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans), small pondweed (P. pusillus), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), broadleaf watermilfoil (M. heterophyllum), southern watergrass (Hydrochtoa caroliniensis), spikerush (Eleocharis vivipara, floating bladderwort (Utricularia inflata), and salvinia (Salvinia rotundifolia). (2)

Remarks

The caterpillars live in portable cases made of many pieces of plant material.(2)

Print References

Habeck, D.H. 1974. Caterpillars of Parapoynx in relation to aquatic plants in Florida. Hyacinth Control Journal 12: 15-18. Florida Agri. Expt. Station Journal Series No. 5331.(2)

Internet References

Moth Photographers Group - species page with photograph of pinned adult.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - species account with collection map and photos of pinned adults.
Wikipedia - brief description (1)
University of Florida - pinned adult and related species.

Works Cited

1.Wikipedia
2.Caterpillars of Parapoynx in relation to aquatic plants in Florida - Hyacinth Control Journal
Dale H. Habeck. 1974. Florida Agri. Expt. Station Journal 12: 15-18.