About Cryptophlebia illepida (Butler, 1882)
Cryptophlebia illepida is a species of moth belonging to the family Tortricidae. This moth is endemic to the Hawaiian islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, Lānaʻi and Hawaiʻi. It has a number of common names: koa seedworm, klu tortricid, koa seed moth, litchi borer, litchi moth, macadamia nut borer and macadamia nut moth. The species was first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1882. Its wingspan measures between 12 and 25 millimeters. It is a highly variable species. The larvae of this moth feed on a broad variety of plants. Plant species recorded as food sources for the larvae are: Acacia confusa, Acacia farnesiana, Acacia koa, Acacia koaia, Alectryon macrococcus, Caesalpinia kavaiensis, Dodonaea viscosa, Inga edulis, Litchi chinensis, Macadamia ternifolia, Mangifera indica, Phaseolus, Pithecellobium dulce, Sapindus oahuensis, Sapindus saponaria, and Senna surattensis.
