Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1
Aetole prenticei
This record describes Aetole prenticei (species). Recorded family: Heliodinidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Heliodinidae (Sun Moths)
- Genus
- Aetole
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Alkaline wetlands.
Geographic Range
California Central Valley and Coachella Valley to New Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Multivoltine with adults in March, July, September to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Powell & Opler reported this species is closely associated with Sesuvium verrucosum (sea-purslane).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aetole prenticei. 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 Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1
How big is Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1?
Forewing length 3-4 mm.
Where is Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Alkaline wetlands. |
| Range | California Central Valley and Coachella Valley to New Mexico. |
What does Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1 eat?
The diet of the Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1 includes Powell & Opler reported this species is closely associated with Sesuvium verrucosum (sea-purslane)..
When is Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1 active?
Aetole prenticei - Hodges#2497.1: seasonal activity - Multivoltine with adults in March, July, September to October..