Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630
Aphomia terrenella
This record describes Aphomia terrenella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewing medium brownish-gray with indistinct blackish streak running from wing base to middle of disc; PM line deeply zigzagged with several sharp points (giving a pointed feathers appearance); veins in subterminal area dark, prominent. Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Galleriinae
- Tribe
- Tirathabini
- Genus
- Aphomia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Unknown but perhaps similar to A. sociella , whose larvae develop in nests of bees
Geographic Range
Eastern North America.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is May to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: unknown - perhaps the same as A. sociella , whose larvae feed on the honeycomb and sometimes larvae of bees
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aphomia terrenella. 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 Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Ken Childs , JoAnneRusso , Blocky , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630
What is Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630?
Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630 (Aphomia terrenella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630?
The wingspan is about 25 mm.
How do you identify Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630?
Forewing medium brownish-gray with indistinct blackish streak running from wing base to middle of disc; PM line deeply zigzagged with several sharp points (giving a pointed feathers appearance); veins in subterminal area dark, prominent. Genitalia:
Where is Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Unknown but perhaps similar to A. sociella , whose larvae develop in nests of bees |
| Range | Eastern North America. |
What does Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630 eat?
The diet of the Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630 includes unknown - perhaps the same as A. sociella , whose larvae feed on the honeycomb and sometimes larvae of bees.
When is Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630 active?
Terrenella Bee Moth - Hodges#5630: seasonal activity - The main flight period is May to August..