Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759
Ambesa laetella
This record describes Ambesa laetella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Heinrich (1956) revised description is in PDF. ( 4 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Ambesa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California to Colorado, north to Alberta and British Columbia. ( 5 ) Heinrich (1956) reported specimens from Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Nevada, California, Washington; Alberta and Manitoba, Canada. ( 4 ) Holland (1915) reported the species to be common in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. ( 6 ) Holotype collected in "Colorado" in British Museum. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is May to August. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heinrich (1956) listed the food plant as unknown. ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ambesa laetella. 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 Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759
What is Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759?
Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759 (Ambesa laetella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759?
Heinrich (1956) reported the wingspan as 28-30 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759?
Heinrich (1956) revised description is in PDF. ( 4 )
Where is Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759 found?
Range: California to Colorado, north to Alberta and British Columbia. ( 5 ) Heinrich (1956) reported specimens from Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Nevada, California, Washington; Alberta and Manitoba, Canada. ( 4 ) Holland (1915) reported the species to be common in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. ( 6 ) Holotype collected in Colorado in British Museum. ( 4 )
What does Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759 eat?
The diet of the Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759 includes Heinrich (1956) listed the food plant as unknown. ( 4 ).
When is Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759 active?
Ambesa laetella - Hodges#5759: seasonal activity - The main flight period is May to August. ( 5 ).