Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00641
Mestolobes chrysomolybda
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About Mestolobes chrysomolybda
Mestolobes chrysomolybda is a member of Crambidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi.
Mestolobes chrysomolybda (Mestolobes chrysomolybda) is documented from Kauaʻi. Crambid moths undergo complete metamorphosis. Caterpillars often feed on leaves, stems, grasses, or aquatic plants, while adults are winged and usually short-lived relative to the larval stage. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record larval host, feeding shelter/mine/roll, adult flight period, parasitoids, and stage-specific photographs. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Mestolobes chrysomolybda is a Kauaʻi-endemic crambid moth described from Kaholuamano upland material. The original adult description documents dark leaden-fuscous wings with orange and metallic leaden patterning.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Fauna Hawaiiensis describes M. chrysomolybda from three specimens collected at Kaholuamano, Kauaʻi, 4000 ft.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; caterpillar; pupa; adult.
Habitat
Host vegetation; larval microhabitat is species-specific.
Food and ecological role
Larval host plants are species-specific; adults generally use nectar or do not feed extensively.
Reproduction
Adults mate and females lay eggs on or near larval host plants.
Movement
Adults fly; larvae move locally among host tissues or leaves.
Ecosystem role
Herbivore as a larva and prey item across life stages; some species are crop pests while others are endemic specialists.
Threats and impacts
Native species can be sensitive to host-plant loss and introduced parasitoids; introduced species can damage crops.
Monitoring
Record larval host, feeding shelter/mine/roll, adult flight period, parasitoids, and stage-specific photographs.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Mestolobes chrysomolybda
- Other names
- Mestolobes crypsichrysa
- Family
- Crambidae
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Historic / current occurrence to verify
- Origin
- Endemic — Kauaʻi
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Mestolobes chrysomolybda is a member of Crambidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi.