Syntonarcha iriastis explained

Syntonarcha iriastis is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1890.^[1] It is found in the western Pacific, including Hong Kong, New Caledonia and most of Australia, where it has been recorded from Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.^[2]

Males of the species produce an ultrasonic sound by rubbing their genitalia against one of their sternites. It is hypothesized that this is used to attract mates over long distances.^[3]

The wingspan is about 25 mm. The forewings are light brownish ochreous. The hindwings are whitish.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Nuss . M. . etal . 2003–2017 . GlobIZ search . Global Information System on Pyraloidea . January 15, 2018.
2. http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/odon/iriastis.html Lepidoptera Larvae of Australia
3. Gwynne . Darryl T. . Edwards . E.D. . December 1986 . Ultrasound production by genital stridulation in Syntonarcha iriastis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): long-distance signalling by male moths? . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society . 88 . 4 . 363–376 . 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1986.tb02253.x.
4. https://archive.org/stream/proceedingsoflin0204linn#page/1107/mode/1up Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. (2) 4 (4): 1107