Patania ruralis

Patania ruralis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Patania
Species: P. ruralis
Binomial name
Patania ruralis
(Scopoli, 1763)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena ruralis Scopoli, 1763
  • Syllepta ruralis
  • Pleuroptya ruralis
  • Pleuroptya conchalis Werneburg, 1864
  • Pleuroptya ruralis dubia (Hampson, 1891)
  • Pleuroptya ruralis flavescens (Rebel, 1916)
  • Pleuroptya iridialis Hübner, 1825

The Mother of Pearl moth (Patania ruralis) is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Scopoli in 1763. It is found in Europe. The species is notable for its rolling locomotion.

The wingspan is 26–40 mm. The moth flies from June to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on stinging nettle.

Scientists used the rolling behavior of the caterpillar as a model to create next-generation robots that roll .


External links

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