Asciodini

Asciodini species are distinguished from other Spilomelinae tribes by molecular characters and specific morphological traits, though precise diagnostic features for the tribe as a whole require specialist examination. The constituent genera show considerable morphological diversity, ranging from small to medium-sized crambid moths with varied wing patterns. Identification to tribe level typically requires dissection and/or molecular analysis rather than field characteristics alone.

The tribe has a predominantly Neotropical distribution, with most constituent genera occurring in Central and South America. Some genera, such as Psara and Laniifera, extend into North America. The genus Asciodes is primarily Caribbean in distribution. Records span from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and throughout South America.

Some genera within Asciodini, particularly Asciodes, contain species that are pests of agricultural crops. Larvae of certain species feed on plants in the family Convolvulaceae, including sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), making them economically significant in tropical and subtropical agriculture.

• SpilomeliniAnother tribe within Spilomelinae; distinguished from Asciodini by molecular phylogenetic characters and subtle morphological differences in genitalia structure
• HerpetogrammatiniSpilomeline tribe with overlapping geographic range; separated from Asciodini based on molecular data and differences in wing venation patterns

• Neotropical
• agricultural pest
• recently described
• molecular phylogenetics

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon