Prionapteryx scitulellus

Prionapteryx scitulellus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Crambidae
Subfamily:	Crambinae
Tribe:	Ancylolomiini
Genus:	Prionapteryx
Species:	P. scitulellus
Binomial name
Prionapteryx scitulellus (Walker, 1866)
Synonyms
Surattha scitulellus Walker, 1866

Prionapteryx scitulellus is a moth in the family Crambidae described by Francis Walker in 1866. It is found in India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.

In the male, the wingspan measures around 16 mm, while in the female, it extends to approximately 24 mm. The forewings exhibit a brownish-ochreous hue, adorned with a black discocellular spot and a sequence of black specks along the margin. As for the hindwings, they present a pale fuscous or whitish tone.

The larvae of P. scitulellus nourish themselves by consuming the leaves of diverse plants, such as jute, tea, and mango. Although they pose only a minor threat, they can be considered as pests affecting these crops.

Description

The wingspan is about 16 mm in the male and 24 mm in the female. Forewings with veins 4 and 5 stalked. It is a brownish-ochreous moth. Head, thorax, and abdomen tinged with fuscous. Forewings with diffused fuscous on basal inner area and defining the inner side of the oblique ochreous medial band, where the area between which and the oblique submarginal band is fuscous except on the costal area. A black discocellular spot. The submarginal band dentate inwards below costa. The marginal area fuscous, with a series of black specks. Hindwings pale fuscous or whitish.