ESCAPHILO. Ascalaphus, son of Orphne and Acheron, saw Proserpina when she plucked and ate the pomegranate while she was in the underworld. He informed the gods and, enraged, Proserpina changed him into an owl, the bird of ill omen and prophet of woe. Because six seeds from the fruit were found in her mouth, she was obliged to spend six months with Hades in the underworld (Met V.533-552; OM V.2251-2299).

The owl Escaphilo screeches near Troilus's apartments for two nights, causing him to feel that his death is near, Tr V.316-322.

Escaphilo, formed by metathesis, appears in final rhyming position, Tr V.319, which may account for the ending in -o instead of -us.