Kingdom Animalia Family Crambidae Genus Patania Order Butterflies and moths | Class Insecta Phylum Arthropoda Rank Species | |
Patania silicalis, the herbivorous pleuroptya moth, is a moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Guenée in 1854. It is found in Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and North America, where it has been recorded from Missouri, Michigan, Ohio and New York, south to Florida.
The wingspan is 24–26 mm. The forewings range from yellowish grey to orangish with dark grey antemedial and postmedial lines, as well as a discal spot in a dark grey crescent. The hindwings have a similar colour and have similar markings, but lack an antemedial line. Adults are on wing in summer in North America.
The larvae feed on Ipomoea batatas, Ipomoea setifera, Merremia umbellata, Rivinia humilis, Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bohemeria nivea.