Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385
Acrolophus variabilis
This record describes Acrolophus variabilis (species). Recorded family: Tineidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult. Variable color and pattern. Brown hindwing with lavender fringe. ♂ antennae are serrate. Notes from Moth Photographers Group ] Peter Jump reports that you can't separate Acrolophus variabilis [0385] from A. macrophallus [0363] without looking at the genitalia (although in some cases the forewing length can distinguish the species). Variabilis forewing length male 9-14 mm: female 12-16 mm. Macrophallus forewing length male 9-10 mm: female 10-12 mm.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tineoidea
- Family
- Tineidae (Clothes Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acrolophinae
- Genus
- Acrolophus (Tubeworm Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Central and southern California, to Texas and western Kansas. , ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from May to October. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet means "variable." Walsingham described three varieties of this moth in the original description.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acrolophus variabilis. 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 Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385
What is Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385?
Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385 (Acrolophus variabilis) is a species in the family Tineidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385?
Powell & Opler reported the forewing length 10-16 mm.
How do you identify Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385?
Adult. Variable color and pattern. Brown hindwing with lavender fringe. ♂ antennae are serrate. Notes from Moth Photographers Group ] Peter Jump reports that you can't separate Acrolophus variabilis [0385] from A. macrophallus [0363] without looking at the genitalia (although in some cases the forewing length can distinguish the species). Variabilis forewing length male 9-14 mm: female 12-16 mm. Macrophallus forewing length male 9-10 mm: female 10-12 mm.
Where is Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385 found?
Range: Central and southern California, to Texas and western Kansas. , ,
When is Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385 active?
Acrolophus variabilis - Hodges#0385: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from May to October. ( 3 ).