Zophodia chilensis

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Zophodia chilensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Genus: Zophodia
Species:
Z. chilensis
Binomial name
Zophodia chilensis
(Heinrich, 1939)
Synonyms
  • Sigelgaita chilensis Heinrich, 1939

Zophodia chilensis is a species of snout moth in the genus Zophodia. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. It is found in Chile.[1]

The wingspan is 30–45 mm. The forewings are grey with darker markings and the hindwings are lightly suffused fuscous.[2]

The larvae feed on Eulychnia acida and Trichocereus chiloensis. They feed on and within the fruit of their host plant. They enter the fruit at the base and tunnel into the seed cavity. When an infested fruit rots, the larvae move to an adjacent fruit. When full grown, the larvae lower themselves to the ground by a thread and spin a cocoon among the debris where pupation takes place. The larvae are blue to blue green.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  2. ^ a b Mann, John (1969). "Cactus-Feeding Insects and Mites". Bulletin of the United States National Museum (256): 1–158, 8 plates. doi:10.5479/si.03629236.256.1. hdl:10088/10142.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.