More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Moths of Zihuatanejo
ORDER LEPIDOPTERA
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)
-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)
-Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)
-Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths (Superfamily Pyraloidea)
-Crambid Snout Moths (Family Crambidae)
-Pearl Moths (Subfamily Spilomelinae)
-Tribe Asciodini
-Genus Asciodes
-Bougainvillea Caterpillar Moth (Asciodes gordialis)
The Bougainvillea caterpillar moth (Asciodes gordialis) is a small, slender moth in the family Crambidae, best known because its larvae are common pests of bougainvillea plants. Adults are tan to light brown with narrow wings held flat or slightly tented at rest, often marked with faint darker lines and spots that give them a subtly patterned appearance. Though the moth itself is inconspicuous and mostly active at night, the caterpillars are easily noticed as they feed on bougainvillea leaves, rolling or webbing foliage and sometimes causing significant defoliation.
Bougainvillea Caterpillar Moth
Asciodes gordialis
Description
Asciodes gordialis is a small to medium-sized moth in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. Adults have broad, rounded wings with a variable pattern of pale yellow, cream, orange-brown, and darker brown markings, often giving the wings a mottled appearance. The wingspan is generally around 20–30 mm.
Range
Asciodes gordialis occurs in North and Central America, ranging from the southern United States through Mexico and into Central America. It occurs along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including Zihuatanejo, Guerrero.
Habitat
It inhabits warm open habitats including tropical and seasonally dry forest, woodland edges, scrub, grassland, agricultural areas, and disturbed vegetation. Adults are nocturnal and may be attracted to artificial lights.
Diet
The larvae are herbivorous and feed on the leaves of plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), often living within folded or webbed leaves. Adults feed on nectar and other liquid plant resources.