Alberada californiensis - Hodges#5975.1
Alberada californiensis
This record describes Alberada californiensis (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Resembles Alberada parabates in size, color and maculation, but is more heavily dusted with white in costal half of forewing and lacks most of the ochre or pale reddish brown in posterior half of wing. The key to species for Alberada in MONA Fascicle 15-4 separates A. parabates and A. californiensis from A. franclemonti on the latter having more contrastingly marked forewing with distinct dark smudge in medial area and only moderately dentate PM line. According to the key, parabates and californiensis have less forewing contrast, PM line strongly dentate and are without distinct dark smudge in medial area. However, images of both parabates and californiensis in Plate 3 of the fascicle clearly have dark smudges in the medial area, although not appearing as prominent as those of franclemonti .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Alberada
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
arid coastal areas and deserts
Geographic Range
southern California
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Alberada californiensis. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alberada californiensis - Hodges#5975.1
What is Alberada californiensis - Hodges#5975.1?
Alberada californiensis - Hodges#5975.1 (Alberada californiensis) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Alberada californiensis - Hodges#5975.1?
Forewing length = 16-22 mm
How do you identify Alberada californiensis - Hodges#5975.1?
Resembles Alberada parabates in size, color and maculation, but is more heavily dusted with white in costal half of forewing and lacks most of the ochre or pale reddish brown in posterior half of wing. The key to species for Alberada in MONA Fascicle 15-4 separates A. parabates and A. californiensis from A. franclemonti on the latter having more contrastingly marked forewing with distinct dark smudge in medial area and only moderately dentate PM line. According to the key, parabates and californiensis have less forewing contrast, PM line strongly dentate and are without distinct dark smudge in medial area. However, images of both parabates and californiensis in Plate 3 of the fascicle clearly have dark smudges in the medial area, although not appearing as prominent as those of franclemonti .
Where is Alberada californiensis - Hodges#5975.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | arid coastal areas and deserts |
| Range | southern California |