Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526
Adelpha fessonia
This record describes Adelpha fessonia (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Unlike the other US species of Adelpha, and two similar species of Doxocopa that occur in the US, the white wing band on this species extends, unbroken and unfaded, all the way to the leading edge of the forewing.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Limenitidinae
- Tribe
- Limenitidini
- Genus
- Adelpha (Sisters)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In or near woodlands
Geographic Range
s. TX to Panama - Map (MPG, BOA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults may take nectar but are more common on rotting fruit. Caterpillars feed on Crucillo ( Randia obcordata spp.).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Adelpha fessonia (Hewitson, 1847)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Adelpha fessonia. 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 Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526
What is Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526?
Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526 (Adelpha fessonia) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526?
Unlike the other US species of Adelpha, and two similar species of Doxocopa that occur in the US, the white wing band on this species extends, unbroken and unfaded, all the way to the leading edge of the forewing.
Where is Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | In or near woodlands |
| Range | s. TX to Panama - Map (MPG, BOA) |
What does Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526 eat?
The diet of the Band-celled Sister - Hodges#4526 includes Adults may take nectar but are more common on rotting fruit. Caterpillars feed on Crucillo ( Randia obcordata spp.)..