Schacontia

Distribution

Schacontia species are distributed across Mexico, south to Central America (Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama) and South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela) and the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hispaniola). A single North American record of Schacontia themis is reported from Sanibel Island, Florida.

Biology

Larvae are internal feeders that may induce galls, and pupate within the host. The only known host plant records are in Capparaceae. In Costa Rica, larvae have been reared from Podangrogyne decipiens. Cleome spinosa has been reported as host for Schacontia chanesalis, Capparis frondosa and Capparis verrucosa are reported for other Schacontia species.

Species

Etymology

Schacontia seems to be Dyar’s contraction of Schaus and Acontia, the noctuid genus in which Schaus mistakenly attributed Schacontia medalba and subsequently designated by Dyar as the type species of Schacontia.