Schinia bina

Guenée, 1852

bina flower moth

Schinia bina is a small with a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The occurs across a broad North range from Mexico City northward to central Florida and into the Canadian prairies. are active in summer with a single . are specialized feeders on flowers and developing seeds of specific plants in the Asteraceae .

CATALOGUE-BM-LVI by Sir GEORGE F. HAMPSON, Bart.. Used under a Public domain license.

Schinia bina by Unspecified. Used under a Copyrighted free use license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Schinia bina: //ˈskɪniə ˈbaɪnə//

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Identification

The extremely small wingspan (approximately 11 mm) distinguishes this from most other Schinia. Within its , identification to species level requires examination of or reference to specialized literature; external alone is insufficient for reliable determination. The combination of small size, geographic range, and association with specific Asteraceae plants provides supporting evidence for identification.

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Habitat

Associated with open supporting its larval plants, including prairie and grassland where Verbesina encelioides and Gaillardia pulchella occur. Specific microhabitat preferences for are not documented.

Distribution

Transcontinental North range extending from Mexico City through the central United States to central Florida, with northern limits in the Canadian prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. GBIF records confirm presence in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada.

Seasonality

One per year (). activity period corresponds with summer flowering of plants, though specific months are not documented in available sources.

Diet

feed on flowers and developing seeds of Verbesina encelioides (cowpen daisy), Gaillardia pulchella (Indian blanket), and hawkweed (Hieracium). feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

Verbesina encelioides - larval flowers and seed pods
Gaillardia pulchella - larval flowers and seed pods
Hieracium - larval hawkweed ; flowers and seed pods

Life Cycle

with one annually. feed on flowers and seed pods. details and stage are not documented. Specific timing of developmental stages is not available.

Behavior

have been observed visiting flowers. Many Schinia are or , but specific activity patterns for S. bina are not documented. feed within flower of plants.

Ecological Role

Larval on Asteraceae flowers and seeds. Potential as . Specific functions are not documented.

Human Relevance

No documented economic or agricultural significance. Subject of entomological study and citizen science documentation through iNaturalist (205 observations).

Similar Taxa

Schinia jaguarinaSimilar size and associations (also feeds on Asteraceae), but distinguished by different pattern and more southern distribution
Other Schinia speciesMany share similar size, flower-visiting , and Asteraceae associations; reliable separation requires examination or molecular analysis

More Details

Taxonomic Uncertainty

Schinia meskeana is treated as a probable valid but remains a formal synonym of S. bina pending taxonomic revision. This suggests the current may encompass cryptic diversity.

Data Gaps

Despite being described in 1852, basic biological information including coloration, precise period, and stages remain poorly documented in accessible literature.