Anatrachyntis rileyi

(Walsingham, 1882)

pink cornworm, pink bud moth, pink scavenger, Pink Scavenger Caterpillar Moth

A small in the Cosmopterigidae, described from the southern United States in 1882 but likely to North America from elsewhere. It has established across warm and tropical regions worldwide, including the Americas, Pacific islands, and parts of Africa and Asia. The is known by multiple reflecting its association with corn and its scavenging habits.

Anatrachyntis rileyi 181784080 by Richard Fuller. Used under a CC0 license.

Anatrachyntis rileyi 181784086 by Richard Fuller. Used under a CC0 license.

Anatrachyntis rileyi 241284418 by Ken Kneidel. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anatrachyntis rileyi: /ænətrəˈkɪntɪs ˈraɪliːaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Warm and tropical regions globally. Documented from: northern Australia, Galápagos Islands, Hawaii, the Antilles, South America, Mauritius, Japan, Uganda, South Africa, and the continental United States (southern origin, now widespread).

Host Associations

Zea mays - pest 'pink cornworm' indicates association with corn, though specific damage patterns are not detailed in available sources

Human Relevance

Agricultural pest of corn; suggest economic significance in corn production, though specific impact levels are not quantified in available sources.

Similar Taxa

PyrodercesFormerly classified under this ; separation requires examination of genitalic characters and patterns

More Details

Taxonomic History

Originally described as Pyroderces rileyi by Walsingham in 1882; later transferred to Anatrachyntis. The epithet honors someone with surname Riley, likely the prominent Charles Valentine Riley.

Biogeographic Origin

Described from the southern United States in 1882, but considered probably an introduction to North America rather than . Its broad pantropical distribution supports this hypothesis.