Parapoynx obscuralis
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Parapoynx obscuralis, the obscure pondweed moth, American china-mark or vallisneria leafcutter, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas and north to Wisconsin and Ontario. It is also found in Great Britain, where it is naturalised in aquatic nurseries through accidental introduction.
The larvae are aquatic and feed on various aquatic plants, including Vallisneria, Potamogeton and Nuphar species. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
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Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report an Obscure Pondweed Moth sighting in Chicago on a given day, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 669th most-seen of the 978 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report an Obscure Pondweed Moth in Chicago on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
Among the best
Of the 3 cities where we can rate Obscure Pondweed Moth sightings, Chicago ranks 3rd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Montreal (Canada, under 5%) and Austin (United States, under 5%).
Same family: Crambidae
The closest relatives of the Obscure Pondweed Moth that you can see in Chicago (family Crambidae, Crambid Snout Moths) are Celery Leaftier Moth (about 10%), Lucerne Moth (about 10%) and Elegant Grass-Veneer (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Obscure Pondweed Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Chicago (10 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
