Kingdom Animalia Family Cosmopterigidae Scientific name Anatrachyntis rileyi Rank Species | Class Insecta Genus Anatrachyntis Phylum Arthropoda Order Butterflies and moths | |
Similar Anatrachyntis, Butterflies and moths, Pyroderces, Anatrachyntis badia, Cosmopterigidae | ||
Anatrachyntis rileyi (pink cornworm, pink bud moth, or pink scavenger) is a species of moth of the family Cosmopterigidae, the cosmet moths. It was first described from the southern United States, but it is probably an introduction to North America. It is found in much of the warm or tropical areas of the world, including northern Australia, the Galápagos Islands, Hawaii, the Antilles, and South America.
The wingspan is 9 to 12 millimeters. The moth has brown forewings with pale streaks and plain grey hindwings, each edged with a fringe. When at rest, the moth extends its antennae straight out in front of its head. The larva reaches 7 or 8 millimeters in length. It is cylindrical and pink to deep red with a dark brown thorax, a pale brown head, and a black mouth.
The larva feeds on vegetable waste. It has been found in leguminous pods, castor oil seeds, coffee beans, milo grain, old corn silk, cotton bolls, aloe, banana, cherries, eggplant, pineapple fruit and seeds, tamarind, Crassula, and other plants such as torrid panicgrass (Panicum torridum), rain tree (Albizia saman), and Oahu soapberry (Sapindus oahuensis).
The larva pupates for 11 to 13 days in a whitish cocoon amongst its frass. The pupa is 4 to 5 millimeters long, smooth, and light yellowish brown.