Laetilia coccidivora
Appearance
Laetilia coccidivora | |
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Imago | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Pyralidae |
Genus: | Laetilia |
Species: | L. coccidivora
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Binomial name | |
Laetilia coccidivora | |
Synonyms | |
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Laetilia coccidivora, the scale-feeding snout moth, is a species of snout moth in the genus Laetilia. It was described by John Henry Comstock in 1879. It is found in the southern United States, including California, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia.
The larvae are predatory on Coccidae species. They feed on the eggs and young. It uses carminic acid, acquired from its prey, as a defense against its own predators.[3]
References
- ^ Moth Photographers Group at Mississippi State University
- ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America
- ^ Bug Guide