Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Samea multiplicalis (Guenée, 1854)
Isopteryx multiplicalis Guenée, 1854
Samea discessalis Walker, 1866
Identification
Young larvae are dirty-white to pale yellow, progressing to yellow-green in mature larvae.
Range
Southeastern United States west to Louisiana, south to South America.
Food
Generalist feeder first observed on waterhyacinth in Brazil. Used as biological control on several invasive species. Commonly feeds on waterlettuce (Pistia stratiotes), Salvinia, water fern (Azolla caroliniana), and duckweed (Lemna sp).
Life Cycle
Eggs laid singly between leaf hairs on host plants. Up to 150 eggs laid over span of 4 to 7 days. Larvae pupate within a silk cocoon in the inflated leaf petioles. Pupation typically lasts 4 to 10 days.
See Also
Moth Photographers Group has illustration for distinguishing the two species.
. . . . . .
Jason D. Roberts - how to separate Samea ecclesialis and Samea multiplicalis
Larva resembles Sameodes albiguttalis, both having plates with short bristles. Bristle position and larval coloration are important differences between the two closely related species.
Print References
Boisduval & Guenée
Histoire Naturelle des Insectes Spécies Général des Lépidoptères 8:
227.
Walker, F. 1866 ["1865"] a: Supplement 4. – List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum, London 34:
1302-1303.