Dioryctria erythropasa

Dyar, 1914

Dioryctria erythropasa is a small snout moth in the Pyralidae, described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1914. The ranges from Arizona southward along the Mexican Pacific coast to Central America. have a wingspan of 23–32 mm. Like other members of the Dioryctria, the larvae likely develop in conifer cones or shoots, though specific associations for this species remain undocumented.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dioryctria erythropasa: /daɪˌɔːrkˈtriːə ˌɛrəˈθroʊpəzə/

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Identification

Dioryctria erythropasa can be distinguished from other Dioryctria by geographic distribution, as it is the only member of the known to occur along the Mexican Pacific coast to Central America. The 23–32 mm wingspan falls within the typical range for the genus. Precise identification to species level likely requires examination of genitalia or other microscopic characters, as is common for Dioryctria. Separation from D. auranticella and other western North American coneworm moths requires knowledge.

Distribution

Arizona, south along the Mexican Pacific coast to Central America.

Similar Taxa

  • Dioryctria auranticellaSimilar size and as a coneworm , but D. auranticella occurs in the western United States (including Colorado) and feeds specifically in Ponderosa Pine cones, whereas D. erythropasa has a more southerly distribution along the Mexican Pacific coast.
  • Other Dioryctria speciesTwenty-five of the 40 North American Dioryctria occur in western North America; most differ in geographic range and specific conifer associations. D. erythropasa is distinguished by its Central American and Mexican Pacific coastal distribution.

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