Omphalocera cariosa
Lederer, 1863
Moonseed Webworm
Omphalocera cariosa is a snout moth in the Pyralidae and the type of its . It has a broad distribution spanning eastern North America to Brazil. The species is in North America, with active during summer months. Larvae are specialized feeders on moonseed vines.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Omphalocera cariosa: /ɒmˌfæloʊˈsɪərə ˌkɛəriˈoʊsə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
Eastern North America from Maryland and West Virginia south to Florida and west to Oklahoma, Texas, and Illinois; also recorded in Brazil. The disjunct distribution suggests possible undetected or taxonomic complexity in Central America.
Seasonality
active May to August in North America, with peak activity likely varying by latitude.
Diet
Larvae feed on Menispermum canadense (common moonseed), a woody vine in the Menispermaceae.
Host Associations
- Menispermum canadense - larval food plantonly confirmed
More Details
Type species status
As the type of Omphalocera, this anchors the generic concept for this small of snout moths.
Geographic gap
The absence of records between the United States and Brazil suggests either incomplete sampling, misidentification of Brazilian specimens, or possible cryptic complexity.