Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916
Ancylosis morrisonella
This record describes Ancylosis morrisonella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - extremely variable, from mostly clay white with light markings to mostly dark reddish gray. ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Ancylosis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deserts and coastal areas.
Geographic Range
Utah through the deserts to coastal California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. , Also Colorado according to Heinrich
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pierce reared them on silver burr ragweed ( Ambrosia chamissonis, =Franseria bipinnatifada ). Heinrich suggests other Asteraceae and Powell & Opler report that the caterpillars feed on burried leaves.
Life History
The larva lives in a silken tube in the sand.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of lepidopterist H.K. Morrison.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ancylosis morrisonella. 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 Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916
What is Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916?
Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916 (Ancylosis morrisonella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 5.5-10.5 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 13-23 mm. |
How do you identify Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916?
Adult - extremely variable, from mostly clay white with light markings to mostly dark reddish gray. ( 3 )
Where is Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deserts and coastal areas. |
| Range | Utah through the deserts to coastal California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. , Also Colorado according to Heinrich |
What does Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916 eat?
The diet of the Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916 includes Pierce reared them on silver burr ragweed ( Ambrosia chamissonis, =Franseria bipinnatifada ). Heinrich suggests other Asteraceae and Powell & Opler report that the caterpillars feed on burried leaves..
What is the life cycle of a Ancylosis morrisonella - Hodges#5916?
The larva lives in a silken tube in the sand.