Scoliopteryx

Germar, 1810

herald moth

Scoliopteryx is a of in the Erebidae, established by Ernst Friedrich Germar in 1810. The genus contains two described , including Scoliopteryx libatrix (the herald moth), which is notable for its troglophilic and cave-dwelling habits during winter. Species in this genus have been studied for their unique ecological associations, including shared with insectivorous bats and susceptibility to .

Scoliopteryx libatrix01 by wikipedia. Used under a Attribution license.

Scoliopteryx libatrix colony by Sprekelia. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Scoliopteryx libatrix Chorzów by Gower. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scoliopteryx: /skɒliˈɒptərɪks/

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Images

Habitat

Caves, mines, and similar subterranean environments. The herald (S. libatrix) overwinters in cave entrance areas, roosting on ceilings in healthy ; infected individuals have been observed on cave floors and rock ledges.

Distribution

Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), British Isles (southern England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland), and North America (Vermont, USA). Specific records from caves and mines in Devon, Norfolk, Fermanagh, and Sligo.

Seasonality

overwinter in caves and mines; active period likely spring through autumn based on pattern.

Life Cycle

Overwinters as in caves and mines; occurs in shared with insectivorous bats.

Behavior

Troglophilic; forms on cave ceilings. Exhibits acoustic sensitivity to ultrasound (20–40 kHz) overlapping with bat echolocation frequencies, though stationary individuals do not show avoidance responses to ultrasonic pulses. This reduced behavioral response during contrasts with typical anti- reactions in active .

Ecological Role

Serves as for including Samsoniella scoliopterygis. Participates in cave as a troglophilic ; co-occurs with hibernating bats, potentially influencing - dynamics in subterranean environments.

More Details

Notable species

Scoliopteryx libatrix (, 1758), the herald , is the best-studied in the and the of ecological research on cave-dwelling moths.

Research significance

S. libatrix has been used as a model organism for studying -bat acoustic interactions in contexts and for describing new fungal .