Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462
Argyria rufisignella
This record describes Argyria rufisignella (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Updated notes very soon September 10, 2013
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Argyriini
- Genus
- Argyria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern United States and across southern states to Arizona
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Argyria rufisignella. 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 Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Jeff Hollenbeck , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462
What is Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462?
Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462 (Argyria rufisignella) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462?
forewing length 6-6.72 mm.
How do you identify Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462?
Updated notes very soon September 10, 2013
Where is Mother-of-pearl Moth - Hodges#5462 found?
Range: eastern United States and across southern states to Arizona