Acossus undosus - Hodges#2677
Acossus undosus
This record describes Acossus undosus (species). Recorded family: Cossidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
page creation based on identification provided at Moth Photographers Group
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Cossidae (Carpenter and Leopard Moths)
- Subfamily
- Cossinae
- Genus
- Acossus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Wyoming, Utah, and perhaps adjacent states; type specimen collected in Wyoming
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acossus undosus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Acossus undosus - Hodges#2677 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Acossus undosus - Hodges#2677
What is Acossus undosus - Hodges#2677?
Acossus undosus - Hodges#2677 (Acossus undosus) is a species in the family Cossidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Acossus undosus - Hodges#2677?
wingspan about 58 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
Where is Acossus undosus - Hodges#2677 found?
Range: Wyoming, Utah, and perhaps adjacent states; type specimen collected in Wyoming