Pseudothyris sepulchralis

Pseudothyris sepulchralis, the mournful thyris, is a species of day-flying[1] moth in the family Thyrididae and can be found throughout North America.[2] They have a flight duration of 2–3 weeks. The adults are rarely found on flowering plants for feeding.[1]

Mournful Thyris Moth
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Thyrididae
Genus: Pseudothyris
Species:
P. sepulchralis
Binomial name
Pseudothyris sepulchralis
Synonyms
  • Thyris sepulchralis Guérin-Méneville, 1832
  • Thyris lugubris Boisduval, 1852
  • Dysodia margaritana Clemens, 1862

Description

edit

The larva is about 18 millimetres (0.71 in) in length.[1] As an adult, its wingspan is around 15–23 millimetres (0.59–0.91 in) and its body is black with white spots and marks.[3]

The larvae feed on Smilax species.[4]

Pupae

edit

The larva cuts an almost perfect circle into a leaf, before rolling itself in it, creating a pouch shaped cocoon and hibernating in it until the following year.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Thiele, J. H. R. (1997-09-01). "Anmerkungen zur Biologie und Verbreitung von Pseudothyris sepulchralis (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae)". Holarctic Lepidoptera: 55–60. ISSN 1070-4140.
  2. ^ "(Thyris sepulchralis) | Idaho Fish and Game". idfg.idaho.gov.
  3. ^ "MOURNFUL THYRIS". Fontenelle Forest Nature Search. February 19, 2019.
  4. ^ Heppner, J.B. (2003). Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas: Lepidoptera of Florida (17 ed.). Florida Department of Agriculture.