Omiodes monogramma
Encyclopedia
Omiodes monogramma is a moth
of the Crambidae
family. It is endemic to Kauai
, Oahu
, Molokai
and Hawaii
.
The larvae feed on Dianella odorata. They feed on the leaves, which they fold together along the midrib and fasten with silk at the margins. Usually there is one caterpillar per leaf. Young larvae begin feeding at the apex of the leaf, and then they gradually work downward, folding together more and more of the leaf as they need it for a hiding place. The surface and substance of the leaf are eaten, leaving the outer epidermis (which is left intact) in a dried up condition enclosing the accumulation of frass
. Full-grown larvae are 20-22 mm long and pale yellowish green.
Pupation takes place in a slight cocoon where the caterpillar has finished eating. The pupa is 12-14 mm long and very pale uniform brownish. The pupal period lasts 12-14 days.
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 Crambidae
Crambidae
The Crambidae are the grass moth family of Lepidoptera . They are quite variable in appearance, the nominal subfamily Crambinae taking up closely folded postures on grass-stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies include brightly coloured and patterned insects which rest in...
family. It is endemic to Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, 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...
, Molokai
Molokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
and Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
.
The larvae feed on Dianella odorata. They feed on the leaves, which they fold together along the midrib and fasten with silk at the margins. Usually there is one caterpillar per leaf. Young larvae begin feeding at the apex of the leaf, and then they gradually work downward, folding together more and more of the leaf as they need it for a hiding place. The surface and substance of the leaf are eaten, leaving the outer epidermis (which is left intact) in a dried up condition enclosing the accumulation of frass
Frass
Frass is the fine powdery material phytophagous insects pass as waste after digesting plant parts. It causes plants to excrete chitinase due to high chitin levels, it is a natural bloom stimulant, and has high nutrient levels. Frass is known to have abundant amoeba, beneficial bacteria, and fungi...
. Full-grown larvae are 20-22 mm long and pale yellowish green.
Pupation takes place in a slight cocoon where the caterpillar has finished eating. The pupa is 12-14 mm long and very pale uniform brownish. The pupal period lasts 12-14 days.