Ombava

Description

Achyra massalis, the ombava, is a moth of the family Crambidae. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1859. It is found in most of the Old World tropics, including Réunion, Namibia and Australia (including New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia). The wingspan is about 20 millimetres (0.79 in). Adults have light to dark brown forewings with a submarginal dark band and a dark spot near the centre. The larvae are considered agricultural pests and have been recorded feeding on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). They are off white, greenish or reddish and have three dark red lines along the body. They only feed at night. By day they rest in a web in the soil near the host plant. It is sometimes listed as a synonym of Achyra coelatalis. Achyra is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae described by Achille Guenée in 1849.