Hyposmocoma carnivora

Hyposmocoma carnivora is a species of moth of the family Cosmopterigidae. It is endemic to Hawaii.

Hyposmocoma carnivora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Cosmopterigidae
Genus:
Hyposmocoma
Species:
H. carnivora
Binomial name
Hyposmocoma carnivora
P. Schmitz & Rubinoff, 2011

The wingspan is 10.2–12 mm (0.40–0.47 in) for males and about 11.1 mm (0.44 in) for females.

The larvae have been reared on snails of the genus Tornatellides and pupae of Drosophila melanogaster. They have also been observed preying on other Hyposmocoma larvae and even cannibalise larvae of their own species. The larvae live in a larval case which has the form of an elongated structure with one entrance at each end. It is decorated with bits of sand, pebbles and plant fibers, finely woven between silk filaments. It is covered with orange beige scales probably deposited by the adults during emergence.[1]

Etymology

The specific name carnivora (flesh eater) is derived from the unusual and remarkable feeding habit of the caterpillars.

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References
  1. Ecologically and Morphologically Remarkable New Cosmet Moth Species of the Genus Hyposmocoma (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, with Reference to the Spectacular Diversity of Larval Cases


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