Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1
Apatelodes auduboni
This record describes Apatelodes auduboni (species). Recorded family: Apatelodidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wagner and Knudson (2014) discuss evidence suggesting that the larva's bright coloration and conspicuous diurnal behaviors as well as those of other apatelodid larvae are consistent with the hypothesis that Apatelodes and perhaps other apatelodids are Batesian mimics of arctiines and megalopygids.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Apatelodidae (American Silkworm Moths)
- Subfamily
- Apatelodinae
- Genus
- Apatelodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This pretty caterpillar was found right on the (north) bank of the Rio Grande. Food plant may be 'Jarillo' (sp?) a rapidly growing small tree similar in appearance and habit to a willow. But there are many other shrubs and small trees, especially small ash trees. -- South Texas Guy
Geographic Range
Cameron County, Texas, and, likely, Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Found feeding on Colima / Lime Prickly Ash ( Zanthoxylum fagara ). -- Seth Patterson
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Collected at what was formerly known as the Sabal Palm Audubon Center.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Apatelodes auduboni. 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 Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn , Ryan St Laurent , pomarinejaeger , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1
What is Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1?
Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1 (Apatelodes auduboni) is a species in the family Apatelodidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1?
Male forewing length: 17-18 mm, female forewing length: 19-20 mm
Where is Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | This pretty caterpillar was found right on the (north) bank of the Rio Grande. Food plant may be 'Jarillo' (sp?) a rapidly growing small tree similar in appearance and habit to a willow. But there are many other shrubs and small trees, especially small ash trees. -- South Texas Guy |
| Range | Cameron County, Texas, and, likely, Mexico. |
What does Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1 eat?
The diet of the Apatelodes auduboni - Hodges#7664.1 includes Found feeding on Colima / Lime Prickly Ash ( Zanthoxylum fagara ). -- Seth Patterson.