Stenoptilia zophodactyla

Stenoptilia zophodactylus (Duponchel, [1840])
(one synonym: Pterophorus loewii)
PTEROPHORIDAE

(updated 21 April 2009)

This Caterpillar is reported to feed on the flowers of various members of the family GENTIANACEAE including :

Yellow-wort ( Blackstonia perfoliata ),

Centaury ( Centaurium erythraea ),

Seaside Centaury ( Centaurium littorale ),

Branching Centaury ( Centaurium pulchellum ),

Centaury ( Centaurium umbellatum ),

Charming Centaury ( Centaurium venustum ),

Showy Prairie Gentian ( Eustoma russellianum ),

Chiltern Gentian ( Gentianella germanica ),

Mountain Gentian ( Gentianella diemensis ), and

Yellow Gentian ( Gentianella lutea ).

(Photo: courtesy of Donald Hobern, Aranda)

The adult moth is plain brown, and has a wingspan of about 1 cm. The species is found all over the world, including:

U.S.A.,
and also in Australia, including: