Ponometia exigua

(Fabricius, 1793)

Bicolored Bird-dropping Moth

Ponometia exigua is a noctuid commonly known as the Bicolored Bird-dropping Moth. First described by Fabricius in 1793, it occurs across the southeastern United States, Caribbean islands, and extends through Central America to Brazil. The exhibits . Larvae feed on specific plants including Erechtites hieraciifolia and Waltheria ovata.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ponometia exigua: /poʊnəˈmiːʃə ɛɡˈziːɡjuə/

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Distribution

Found from Georgia south to Florida and west to Texas in the United States. Outside the U.S., it occurs in Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola, the Virgin Islands, Central America, and South America south to Brazil.

Diet

Larvae feed on Erechtites hieraciifolia and Waltheria ovata.

Host Associations

Erechtites hieraciifolia - larval food plant
Waltheria ovata - larval food plant

More Details

Taxonomic History

Originally described as Bombyx exigua by Fabricius in 1793. The has been placed in the Acontia in some classifications, and Acontia exigua appears as a synonym in some databases.