Udea

Guenée, 1845

celery leaftier moth (U. rubigalis), snout moths

Udea is a of in the Spilomelinae of the Crambidae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1845. The genus comprises approximately 216 known distributed across all continents except Antarctica, with notable diversity in Hawaii where about 41 species are . Udea is placed in the tribe Udeini and is closely related to the genera Mnesictena, Deana, and Udeoides. The genus has been the subject of taxonomic revision, with former species transferred to other genera including Evergestis, Lirabotys, Achyra, Pyrausta, and Metasia.

Distribution

Global distribution on all continents except Antarctica. Approximately 41 are to Hawaii, indicating significant insular diversification. North , European, and African species have been subject to detailed taxonomic study with proposed species groups.

Behavior

At least one , Udea rubigalis, has been documented visiting apple flowers and contributing to of agricultural .

Ecological Role

Members of the participate in of flowering plants, including economically important such as apple. This role has been demonstrated through exclusion experiments showing that nocturnally pollinated fruit can achieve similar seed set to diurnally pollinated fruit.

Human Relevance

Udea rubigalis, commonly known as the celery leaftier , is an agricultural pest whose feed on celery and other . The same has been documented as a of apple flowers, illustrating dual ecological roles.

Similar Taxa

MnesictenaFormerly included within Udea but now recognized as a separate comprising seven ; historically conflated with Udea in taxonomic treatments.
DeanaClosely related within tribe Udeini; phylogenetically proximate to Udea.
UdeoidesClosely related within tribe Udeini; shares recent common ancestry with Udea.
EvergestisFormer Udea (Udea conquisitalis) transferred to this Glaphyriinae .
PyraustaFormer Udea (Udea pauperalis) transferred to this Pyraustinae .