LepidopteraErebidae

Aristaria theroalis - Hodges#8390

Aristaria theroalis

This record describes Aristaria theroalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Erebidae
Subfamily
Herminiinae
Genus
Aristaria

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Heppner (2003) reported the range to include Florida ( 3 ) , to Texas; West Indies; Mexico. ( 4 )

Seasonal Activity

Heppner (2003) reported adults February, May to July, September, November. ( 4 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Heppner (2003) listed possibly leaf litter. ( 4 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aristaria theroalis. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Aristaria theroalis - Hodges#8390

Where is Aristaria theroalis - Hodges#8390 found?

Range: Heppner (2003) reported the range to include Florida ( 3 ) , to Texas; West Indies; Mexico. ( 4 )

What does Aristaria theroalis - Hodges#8390 eat?

The diet of the Aristaria theroalis - Hodges#8390 includes Heppner (2003) listed possibly leaf litter. ( 4 ).

When is Aristaria theroalis - Hodges#8390 active?

Aristaria theroalis - Hodges#8390: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported adults February, May to July, September, November. ( 4 ).