Aleptina arenaria - Hodges#9072.2
Aleptina arenaria
This record describes Aleptina arenaria (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Condicinae
- Tribe
- Leuconyctini
- Genus
- Aleptina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Sand dunes.
Geographic Range
New Mexico. Holotype ♂, New Mexico, Otero County, White Sands National Monument, 17-V-2010, Eric H. Metzler, USNM (United States National Museum).
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most commonly seen in the months of May to September. ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Metzler & Forbes stated "Gypsum sand is the substrate of the white dune field at White Sands National Monument. Arena means sand in Latin. The Latin suffix -aria means connected with something. The specific epithet of this species, arenaria, a singular adjective, calls attention to the specialized sandy habitat where Aleptina arenaria was discovered."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aleptina arenaria. 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 Aleptina arenaria - Hodges#9072.2
How big is Aleptina arenaria - Hodges#9072.2?
Metzler & Forbes reported the forewing length. ♂ 10 mm. ♀ 10 mm.
Where is Aleptina arenaria - Hodges#9072.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sand dunes. |
| Range | New Mexico. Holotype ♂, New Mexico, Otero County, White Sands National Monument, 17-V-2010, Eric H. Metzler, USNM (United States National Museum). |
When is Aleptina arenaria - Hodges#9072.2 active?
Aleptina arenaria - Hodges#9072.2: seasonal activity - The adults are most commonly seen in the months of May to September. ,.