Mimoschinia Explained

Mimoschinia is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae. It contains only one species, Mimoschinia rufofascialis, the rufous-banded pyralid moth or barberpole caterpillar, which is found in the Caribbean, from Alberta to British Columbia, south to Texas and California and in Mexico.

The wingspan is 14–18 mm.^[1] Adults have been recorded on wing from January to October, with most records from June to September.

The larvae feed on various Malvaceae species, including Malvastrum, Abutilon, Wissadula, Sida, Alcea and Malvella species. They feed on the seeds of their host plant.^[2]

Subspecies

• Mimoschinia rufofascialis rufofascialis (Caribbean)
• Mimoschinia rufofascialis decorata (Druce, 1898) (Arizona, Mexico)
• Mimoschinia rufofascialis novalis (Grote, 1876) (from Alberta to British Columbia, south to Texas and California)
• Mimoschinia rufofascialis nuchalis (Grote, 1878) (California)

References

• Natural History Museum Lepidoptera genus database

Notes and References

1. http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=4826 mothphotographersgroup
2. Web site: Bird, C. D. . 2008 . Species Details: Mimoschinia rufofascialis . University of Alberta Museums . E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum . December 27, 2020.