Saucrobotys futilalis, the dogbane saucrobotys moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Julius Lederer in 1863.[1] It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from the north-east to British Columbia and south to Texas and California.[2]

Saucrobotys futilalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Saucrobotys
Species:
S. futilalis
Binomial name
Saucrobotys futilalis
(Lederer, 1863)
Synonyms
  • Botys futilalis Lederer, 1863
  • Botis erectalis Grote, 1876
  • Botys inconcinnalis Lederer, 1863
  • Botis crocotalis Grote, 1881
  • Botis festalis Hulst, 1886

The length of the forewings is 14–16 mm. Adults are on wing from May to July.

The larvae feed on Apocynum (including Apocynum cannabinum) and Asclepias species (including Asclepias tuberosa). They create silken nests on the host plant.[3] The caterpillars also defend against predation by regurgitating the contents of their guts.[4]

Subspecies

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  • Saucrobotys futilalis futilalis (Quebec to Manitoba, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania)
  • Saucrobotys futilalis inconcinnalis (Lederer, 1863) (Alberta and British Columbia to California, Arizona, Texas)
 
Larvae on dogbane

References

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  1. ^ Nuss, Matthias; Landry, Bernard; Vegliante, Francesca; Tränkner, Andreas; Mally, Richard; Hayden, James; Bauer, Franziska; Segerer, Andreas; Li, Houhun; Schouten, Rob; Solis, M. Alma; Trofimova, Tatiana; De Prins, Jurate & Speidel, Wolfgang (2003–2014). "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  2. ^ "801407.00 – 4936 – Saucrobotys futilalis – Dogbane Saucrobotys Moth – (Lederer, 1863)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Balaban, John and Jane (January 25, 2017). "Species Saucrobotys futilalis - Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936". BugGuide. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Grant, Jacqualine Bonnie (1 August 2006). "Diversification of gut morphology in caterpillars is associated with defensive behavior". Journal of Experimental Biology. 209 (15): 3018–3024. doi:10.1242/jeb.02335. ISSN 0022-0949. Retrieved 5 July 2022.