Insect
Atteva punctella
Atteva punctellaAlso known as Little Cigarette Harlequin Moth, Harlequin Webworm Moth, Polilla Cigarrito Arlequin
Harlequin webworm moths boast striking orange forewings decorated with yellow spots and shimmering dark metallic blue bands. Caterpillars construct communal silk webbing over host tree foliage where hundreds of larvae live and feed together in relative safety. Adults remain active during daytime hours, flitting among sunlit blooms to feed on nectar across Neotropical forests.
DiurnalColorfulTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySimarouba leaves, Flower nectar
Predators
- Birds
- Spiders
- Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsDeforestation and widespread pesticide application.
HabitatsTropical rainforests, moist woodlands, scrublands, and forest edges.
Life span1 to 2 months
Classification
- FamilyAttevidae
- SpeciesAtteva punctella
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Search sunny edges: Look for adults fluttering around nectar-rich flowers in daylight.
- Spot larval webs: Examine leaves on Simarouba trees for large silk web structures.
Host Plant (c) Alexis López Hernández, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis López Hernández · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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