Acoloithus

Clemens, 1860

Species Guides

2

Acoloithus is a of in the Zygaenidae, established by Clemens in 1860. The genus contains three described : A. falsarius, A. novaricus, and A. rectarius. These moths are known as false skeletonizers, a name reflecting their superficial resemblance to skeletonizer moths in other families. They occur in North America.

Acoloithus falsarius by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Clemens' False Skeletonizer - Acoloithus falsarius, Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge, Jena, Louisiana by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Acoloithus falsarius. milkweed by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acoloithus: //ˌæ.kəˈlɔɪ.θəs//

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Identification

in this are distinguished by their placement in the Zygaenidae, which typically features or with metallic coloration and simple . The genus name 'false skeletonizer' distinguishes them from true skeletonizers (family Erebidae). Specific identification to species level requires examination of genitalia and wing pattern details.

Images

Distribution

North America. Distribution records include the United States, with specific observations from Vermont.

Similar Taxa

  • HarrisinaAlso called skeletonizers; Acoloithus is distinguished as 'false' skeletonizer due to convergent and possibly similar larval feeding damage patterns, but belongs to different (Zygaenidae vs. Zygaenidae differences—actually both in Zygaenidae, requiring clarification: Harrisina is in Procridinae, same subfamily; distinction is at level based on )
  • Erebidae skeletonizersTrue skeletonizers in Erebidae; Acoloithus is in Zygaenidae, separated by family-level characters including and larval

More Details

Etymology

The 'false skeletonizer' reflects historical confusion with skeletonizer ; the name Acoloithus is of unclear derivation.

Sources and further reading