Saucrobotys futilalis

Saucrobotys futilalis, the dogbane saucrobotys moth, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Julius Lederer in 1863.^[1] It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from the north-east to British Columbia and south to Texas and California.^[2]

Saucrobotys futilalis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Crambidae
Genus:	Saucrobotys
Species:	S. futilalis
Binomial name
Saucrobotys futilalis (Lederer, 1863)
Synonyms
Botys futilalis Lederer, 1863 Botis erectalis Grote, 1876 Botys inconcinnalis Lederer, 1863 Botis crocotalis Grote, 1881 Botis festalis Hulst, 1886

The length of the forewings is 14–16 mm. Adults are on wing from May to July.

The larvae feed on Apocynum (including Apocynum cannabinum) and Asclepias species (including Asclepias tuberosa). They create silken nests on the host plant.^[3] The caterpillars also defend against predation by regurgitating the contents of their guts.^[4]

Subspecies

• Saucrobotys futilalis futilalis (Quebec to Manitoba, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania)
• Saucrobotys futilalis inconcinnalis (Lederer, 1863) (Alberta and British Columbia to California, Arizona, Texas)

Larvae on dogbane