Hyposmocoma empedota
Encyclopedia
Hyposmocoma empedota is a species of moth
of the Cosmopterigidae
family. It is endemic to Oahu
. The type locality are the Koolau Mountains behind Honolulu.
The larvae probably feed on lichens on the bark of Acacia koa, Manihot glaziovii, Prosopis
and other trees. The larva is a case-maker. The case does not have the wide flange that the case of Hyposmocoma alliterata
has.
The development of the pseuduncuslike organs on the male abdomen is extraordinary. There is a large one on the right side of the seventh segment, a similar long one from the left side of the sixth segment, and much smaller ones on the left side of the seventh segment and the right side of the sixth segment.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Cosmopterigidae
Cosmopterigidae
Cosmopterigidae is a family of insects in the Lepidoptera order. These are small moths with narrow wings whose tiny larvae feed internally on the leaves, seeds, stems, etc of their host plants. There are about 1,500 described species...
family. It is endemic to Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. The type locality are the Koolau Mountains behind Honolulu.
The larvae probably feed on lichens on the bark of Acacia koa, Manihot glaziovii, Prosopis
Prosopis
Prosopis is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. It contains around 45 species of spiny trees and shrubs found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Western Asia, and South Asia. They often thrive in arid soil and are resistant to drought, on occasion...
and other trees. The larva is a case-maker. The case does not have the wide flange that the case of Hyposmocoma alliterata
Hyposmocoma alliterata
Hyposmocoma alliterata is a species of moth of the Cosmopterigidae family. It is endemic to Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii. This species is thought to range from the lowlands to the highlands, where it is most abundant....
has.
The development of the pseuduncuslike organs on the male abdomen is extraordinary. There is a large one on the right side of the seventh segment, a similar long one from the left side of the sixth segment, and much smaller ones on the left side of the seventh segment and the right side of the sixth segment.