Uresiphita reversalis

Uresiphita reversalis, the genista broom moth or sophora worm, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Achille Guenée in 1854.[1] U. reversalis was probably native to Mexico before spreading north and becoming established in Los Angeles by 1930 and the San Francisco Bay Area by 1980.[2] It has since been recorded across the United States and in Cuba, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.[3] Both adults and caterpillars are aposematic.[2]

Uresiphita reversalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Uresiphita
Species:
U. reversalis
Binomial name
Uresiphita reversalis
(Guenée, 1854)
Synonyms
  • Mecyna reversalis Guenée, 1854
  • Botys hilaralis Herrich-Schäffer, 1871

Description

The wingspan is 27–34 mm. The forewings are light to medium brown with dark antemedial and postmedial lines and two dark discal spots. The hindwings are yellow or orange with brownish-gray shading at the apex. Adults are on wing year round in multiple generations per year in the southern part of the range.[4]

The larvae feed on Acacia, Lonicera, Baptisia (including Baptisia leucantha), Genista (including Genista monspessulana) and Lupinus species (including Lupinus arboreus and Lupinus diffusus), Sophora secundiflora, Lagerstroemia indica, Cytisus scoparius and Cytisus striatus.[5] The larvae have a brownish-green body and a black head with white dots. The species usually overwinters in the pupal stage, but may also overwinter as an adult.

References
  1. Nuss, M.; et al. (2003–2017). "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  2. Will, Kip; Gross, Joyce; Rubinoff, Daniel; Powell, Jerry A. (2020). Field Guide to California Insects. Oakland, California: University of California Press. p. 364. ISBN 9780520288744.
  3. "801470.00 – 4992 – Uresiphita reversalis – Genista Broom Moth – (Guenée, 1854)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  4. "Species Uresiphita reversalis - Genista Broom Moth - Hodges#4992". BugGuide. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  5. Savela, Markku. "Uresiphita reversalis (Guenée, 1854)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved February 27, 2018.


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