About Melipotis acontioides Guenée, 1852
Melipotis acontioides, commonly known as the royal poinciana moth, is a moth species belonging to the family Erebidae. It was first formally described by Achille Guenée in 1852. This species ranges from the southern United States – where it occurs in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida – southward through Mexico and Central America, reaching Brazil, Argentina, and the Galápagos Islands. It is also present in the Caribbean, with recorded occurrences in Cuba, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. The adult wingspan of Melipotis acontioides measures approximately 43 mm. Its larvae feed on the plants Delonix regia, Parkinsonia aculeata, and Parkinsonia florida, and feed during the night.
