Melitara subumbrella
| Melitara subumbrella | |
|---|---|
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| Melitara subumbrella | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia | 
| Phylum: | Arthropoda | 
| Class: | Insecta | 
| Order: | Lepidoptera | 
| Family: | Pyralidae | 
| Genus: | Melitara | 
| Species: | M. subumbrella | 
| Binomial name | |
| Melitara subumbrella (Dyar, 1925) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Melitara subumbrella is a species of snout moth in the genus Melitara. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1925.[1] It is widespread in western North America, from southern Alberta and Saskatchewan to southern Arizona, central Texas,[2] southern New Mexico and south-eastern California.
The wingspan is 35–52 mm. Adults are on wing from March to May. A second generation may occur on some locations, with adults on wing from October to November.
The larvae feed on Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia macrorhiza var. macrorhiza, Opuntia atrispina, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha and Opuntia violaceae var. macrocentra.[3] Mature larvae are white with light purple cross-bands.
References
- ^ Moth Photographers Group at Mississippi State University
- ^ Simonsen, T. (2007). "Species Details: Melitara subumbrella". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ Cactus Feeding Moths