Parapoynx obscuralis

Parapoynx obscuralis, the obscure pondweed moth, American china-mark or vallisneria leafcutter, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881.[1] It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas and north to Wisconsin and Ontario.[2] It is also found in Great Britain, where it is naturalised in aquatic nurseries through accidental introduction.[3]

Parapoynx obscuralis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Crambidae
Genus:
Parapoynx
Species:
P. obscuralis
Binomial name
Parapoynx obscuralis
(Grote, 1881)
Synonyms
  • Oligostigma obscuralis Grote, 1881

The wingspan is 17–26 mm. The forewings of the males are white with brown shading and a thick white postmedian line. The females have dark brown forewings. The hindwings are white with a brown or blackish band and an orange terminal band. Adults are on wing from June to August.

The larvae are aquatic and feed on various aquatic plants, including Vallisneria, Potamogeton and Nuphar species.[4]

References
  1. "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  2. Moth Photographers Group at Mississippi State University
  3. Hants Moths
  4. Bug Guide


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