Schacontia

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Schacontia
Adults of Schacontia: 1=S. medalba, 2=S. chanesalis, 3=S. umbra, 4=S. speciosa, 5=S. ysticalis, 6=S. themis, 7=S. rasa, 8=S. nyx, 9=S. clotho, 10 & 11=S. lachesis, 12=S. atropos
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Subfamily: Glaphyriinae
Genus: Schacontia
Dyar, 1914[1]

Schacontia is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1914.

Distribution[edit]

Schacontia species are distributed across Mexico, south to Central America (Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama) and South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela) and the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hispaniola). A single North American record of Schacontia themis is reported from Sanibel Island, Florida.

Biology[edit]

Larvae are internal feeders that may induce galls, and pupate within the host. The only known host plant records are in Capparaceae. In Costa Rica, larvae have been reared from Podangrogyne decipiens. Cleome spinosa has been reported as host for S. chanesalis. Capparis frondosa and Capparis verrucosa are reported for other Schacontia species.

Species[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Schacontia seems to be Dyar's contraction of Schaus and Acontia, the noctuid genus in which William Schaus mistakenly attributed Schacontia medalba and subsequently designated by Dyar as the type species of Schacontia.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nuss, M.; et al. (2003–2017). "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  2. ^ Goldstein, Paul Z.; Metz, Mark A.; Solis, M. Alma (2013). "Phylogenetic systematics of Schacontia Dyar with descriptions of eight new species (Lepidoptera, Crambidae)". ZooKeys (291): 27–81. doi:10.3897/zookeys.291.3744. PMC 3677288. PMID 23794861.