Laetilia coccidivora, the scale-feeding snout moth, is a species of snout moth in the genus Laetilia. It was described by John Henry Comstock in 1879.[2]
| Laetilia coccidivora | |
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| Imago | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Pyralidae |
| Genus: | Laetilia |
| Species: | L. coccidivora
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| Binomial name | |
| Laetilia coccidivora | |
| Synonyms | |
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It is found in the southern United States, including California, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia.
The larvae are predatory on Coccidae species. They feed on the eggs and young. It uses carminic acid, acquired from its prey, as a defence against its own predators.[4]
References edit
- ^ Moth Photographers Group at Mississippi State University
- ^ Comstock, J. Henry (October 1879). "On a New Predaceous Lepidopterous Insect". The North American Entomologist. 1 (4): 25–29 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America
- ^ Bug Guide
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