Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Stemorrhages costata was transferred to
Diaphania in Munroe (1995a), but its status as a new combination was not indicated; it was indicated as misplaced
(1).
Stemorrhages costata (Fabricius, 1794)
Orig. Comb: Phalaena costata Fabricius 1794
Synonyms
Margarodes aurocostalis Guenée, 1854
Margarodes imitalis Guenée, 1854
Size
Wingspan ≤ 20mm
(3); circa 28-29 mm--measured
hereIdentification
For both adults and larvae see Hayden et al. (2017).
(4)
Adult: Translucent white wings, and a gold line on the front edge of the forewing
(3) Range
Records from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
(4).
Wide spread in south Texas. Reaches west, north, and east Texas as well. (Charles Bordelon, pers. comm., 2010)
Food
Apocynaceae: Pest of confederate jasmine (
Trachelospermum jasminoides), bluestar (
Amsonia), and periwinkle (
Vinca)
(5)Remarks
Apparently an accidental introduction from Old World tropics.
(5)See Also
See Hayden et al. (2017).
(4)
Palpita kimballi is known from FL and coastal GA. Males lack the expanded segments at the base of the antennae. Females require dissection.
Print References
Hayden, J.E., E.R. Hoebeke, M.A. Bertone & V.A. Brou Jr. 2017. "
Diaphania costata (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae), a Commonly Misidentified Pest of Ornamental Apocynaceae in the Southern United States".
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 119(2): 173-190
(4).
