Spragueia dama

(Guenée, 1852)

Southern Spragueia Moth

Spragueia dama, commonly known as the southern spragueia , is a bird-dropping mimic moth in the Noctuidae. First described by Achille Guenée in 1852, this occurs in North America. It is assigned MONA (Moths of North America) Hodges number 9122. The species belongs to the Acontiinae, a group of small moths often characterized by their cryptic, bird-dropping-like appearance.

- 9122 – Spragueia dama – Southern Spragueia Moth (44428716092) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Spragueia dama P1540077a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Spragueia dama: /spɹəˈɡeɪə ˈdɑːmə/

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Identification

As a member of the bird-dropping moth group within Acontiinae, Spragueia dama likely exhibits the characteristic mottled gray, white, and black coloration that resembles bird droppings, serving as camouflage against . The Hodges number 9122 provides a standardized reference for North American identification. Definitive identification requires examination of genitalia or molecular analysis, as many acontiine moths share similar cryptic coloration.

Images

Distribution

Found in North America. Specific range details beyond this continental-level distribution are not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

As a bird-dropping mimic, this likely employs (camouflage) as a primary defense against avian and other visual . The specific ecological role within its has not been documented.

Similar Taxa

Other Spragueia speciesMembers of the Spragueia share similar small size, habits, and typically exhibit bird-dropping mimicry coloration, requiring careful examination for -level identification.
Other Acontiinae mothsThe Acontiinae contains numerous bird-dropping mimic with convergent cryptic coloration patterns of gray, white, and black mottling.

More Details

Taxonomic Notes

The has been placed in the Acontia in some classifications (as Acontia dama), but is currently accepted as Spragueia dama in major taxonomic databases including Catalogue of Life and NCBI. The basionym Agrophila dama reflects its original description.

Moth Identification Resources

The MONA ( of North America) Hodges numbering system assigns 9122 to this , facilitating standardized reference in North American lepidopteran studies.