LepidopteraPyralidae – Pyralid Moths

Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761

Ambesa lallatalis

This record describes Ambesa lallatalis (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 - Ambesa lallatalis
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Heinrich (1956) revised description 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 ( 5 ) , Nevada, Utah ( 6 ) , and Colorado. Holotype ♂ and ♀ collected in "Nevada", ♂ in AMNH (American Museum of Natural History) ( 4 )

Seasonal Activity

May, July ( 7 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Heinrich (1956) reported the larval host and immature stages unknown. ( 4 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ambesa lallatalis. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 (5)

Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761

What is Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761?

Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 (Ambesa lallatalis) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761?

Heinrich listed the wingspan 26-30 mm. Hulst listed 30-34 mm.

How do you identify Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761?

Heinrich (1956) revised description in PDF. ( 4 )

Where is Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 found?

Range: California ( 5 ) , Nevada, Utah ( 6 ) , and Colorado. Holotype ♂ and ♀ collected in Nevada, ♂ in AMNH (American Museum of Natural History) ( 4 )

What does Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 eat?

The diet of the Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 includes Heinrich (1956) reported the larval host and immature stages unknown. ( 4 ).

When is Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761 active?

Ambesa lallatalis - Hodges#5761: seasonal activity - May, July ( 7 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.