Agathodes designalis

Agathodes designalis, the sky-pointing moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Achille Guenée in 1854.[1] It is found from the southern United States, where it has been recorded from Arizona, Texas and Florida,[2] south to southern South America. It is also found on the West Indies.

Agathodes designalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Agathodes
Species:
A. designalis
Binomial name
Agathodes designalis
Guenée, 1854
Synonyms
  • Stenurges floridalis Hulst, 1886

The length of the forewings is 13-18.5 mm. The forewings are marbled purple and green. The hindwings are beige. Adults are on wing from May to September in four generations in Florida.

The larvae feed on Erythrina (including Erythrina flabelliformis), Inga and Citharexylum species. The summer and fall generations feed on the leaves of their host plant, while larvae of the spring generation feed on the flowers. Young larvae are translucent and orange. Older larvae have an orange body with cream stripes and a bright red head.[3]

Subspecies
  • Agathodes designalis designalis
  • Agathodes designalis monstralis Guenée, 1854 (Mexico, West Indies)

References
  1. Nuss, M.; et al. (2003–2014). "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  2. "801328.00 – 5240 – Agathodes designalis – Guenée, 1854". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  3. Murray, Tom (November 19, 2016). "Species Agathodes designalis - Hodges#5240". BugGuide. Retrieved August 14, 2018.


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