Scoliopteryx libatrix

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Herald Moth, Herald

Scoliopteryx libatrix, commonly known as the herald , is a distributed across the Holarctic region. are notable for their distinctive patterning and of in caves, mines, and similar sheltered structures. The has been documented as a for and shares with insectivorous bats. Its acoustic sensitivity to bat echolocation frequencies, combined with an absence of evasive responses during , represents an unusual behavioral .

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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 libatrix: //sko.liˈɒp.tɪ.rɪks lɪˈbeɪ.trɪks//

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Habitat

Overwinters in caves, mines, and similar sheltered structures. In the British Isles, has been recorded from caves in Devon, Norfolk, Fermanagh, and Sligo, as well as from a mine. In North America, uses cave and mine entrance areas in Ontario. Healthy typically occupy cave ceilings; infected or individuals have been observed on cave floors and rock ledges.

Distribution

Holarctic distribution: Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Documented from the British Isles (southern England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland), Belgium, and North America (Ontario, Canada). GBIF records indicate presence across North America and multiple regions of Belgium.

Seasonality

overwinter in ; activity period not specified in available sources.

Host Associations

Samsoniella scoliopterygis - (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) that infects , producing or non-pigmented on cadavers

Life Cycle

are the stage, seeking shelter in caves and mines during winter months. Larval stages and details not documented in available sources.

Behavior

exhibit acoustic sensitivity to ultrasound between 20–40 kHz, overlapping with bat echolocation frequencies. Tympanic organ sensitivity is 5–10 dB greater than that of other for which data are available. Notably, stationary adults show no avoidance response to ultrasonic pulses, in contrast to evasive behaviors observed in active noctuid moths. This absence of response during appears to be an to shared shelter with bats.

Ecological Role

Serves as for in cave . Functions as a troglophilic or trogloxene , forming part of the cave-associated . Co-occurs with hibernating insectivorous bats, though the ecological implications of this association remain unclear.

More Details

Fungal pathology

Infected individuals are consistently found on cave floors or rock ledges rather than on ceilings with healthy , suggesting behavioral or physiological changes preceding death. The produces multiple in situ and synnemata .

Acoustic ecology

The combination of heightened auditory sensitivity with suppressed response represents a potential evolutionary compromise between and energy during .