Hodges#0355.1

Acrolophus heppneri

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Tineoidea
Family: Tineidae
Subfamily: Acrolophinae
Genus: Acrolophus
Species: heppneri

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acrolophus heppneri: /əˈkrɒləfəs ˈhɛpnəri/

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Images

Summary

Acrolophus heppneri is a moth species described by Davis in 1990, named in honor of John B. Heppner, and is part of the family Acrolophidae. This species exhibits a plain brown appearance and is found primarily in the southeastern United States.

Physical Characteristics

Forewing length: ♂ 4-5.5 mm, ♀ 5.5-9 mm; wingspan approximately 17 mm; uniformly medium to dark brown forewing, darker in males. Thorax with a uniformly light to medium brown pronotum and pale gray to white-tipped tegula scales.

Identification Tips

The moth is extremely plainly marked, appearing mostly brown except for a dark discal spot observable in many images, and has small frills on the legs.

Habitat

Gulf Coast region of North America, found in habitats including those supporting larval host plants.

Distribution

Texas to Florida, also reported in the Bahamas.

Diet

Larvae feed on Lygodium microphyllum (small-leaf climbing fern) and Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane).

Life Cycle

Adults reported from February to December.