Spragueia leo

(Guenée, 1852)

Common Spragueia Moth

Spragueia leo, known as the Common Spragueia , is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 12–18 mm. It occurs across eastern and central North America, from Ontario and Massachusetts south to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas. are active from June through September, and larvae feed on Convolvulus .

Spragueia leo P1330087b by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.- 9127 – Spragueia leo – Common Spragueia Moth (48043777776) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Common Spragueia - Spragueia leo, Woodbridge, Va by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Spragueia leo: //spɹaˈɡuːiə ˈlioʊ//

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

Identification

Distinguished from similar Spragueia by geographic range and association with Convolvulus plants. Accurate identification requires examination of genitalia or reference to regional guides.

Images

Appearance

Small with wingspan of 12–18 mm. Specific coloration and pattern details not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Associated with open where Convolvulus grow. Specific habitat preferences beyond plant requirements are not documented.

Distribution

Eastern and central North America: from Ontario, Manitoba, and southeastern Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Texas and Kansas.

Seasonality

active from June to September. Larval not documented.

Diet

Larvae feed on Convolvulus (bindweeds and morning glories). feeding habits not documented.

Host Associations

  • Convolvulus - larval plant

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Larvae feed on Convolvulus before pupating. stage not documented.

Behavior

are and attracted to light. Specific behavioral details beyond period are not documented.

Ecological Role

Herbivore as larvae, feeding on Convolvulus. Role in and function not documented.

Human Relevance

No documented economic or medical significance. Occasionally encountered by enthusiasts at light traps.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Spragueia speciesSimilar size and general appearance; require genital dissection or molecular analysis for definitive identification

More Details

Taxonomic Note

Some sources list Spragueia leo as a synonym of Acontia leo, reflecting historical taxonomic instability within the Acontiinae. Current consensus places the in Spragueia.

Tags

Sources and further reading