Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707
Bactra verutana
This record describes Bactra verutana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The FW are light brown, narrow-pointed at the apex and with a number of darker brown areas. The HW are sooty-brown in color. Similar in appearance to B. furfurana but easily distinguished by the male genitalia as the cucullus bears stout spines. ( 3 ) Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Olethreutini
- Genus
- Bactra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Near marshy areas.
Geographic Range
e. US, Calif. / W. Indies - Map (MPG)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Juncus (U.S. Bureau of Entomology rearing) according to Heinrich (1926). Larva feeds on leaves, fascicles and basal bulbs of Cyperus esculentus , Scirpus and Juncus according to Miller (1987).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: veruta (L). "javelin."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Bactra verutana. 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 Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn , Robert Lord Zimlich , Chuck Sexton , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707
What is Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707?
Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707 (Bactra verutana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707?
Wingspan: 11-17 mm.
How do you identify Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707?
The FW are light brown, narrow-pointed at the apex and with a number of darker brown areas. The HW are sooty-brown in color. Similar in appearance to B. furfurana but easily distinguished by the male genitalia as the cucullus bears stout spines. ( 3 ) Genitalia:
Where is Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Near marshy areas. |
| Range | e. US, Calif. / W. Indies - Map (MPG) |
What does Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707 eat?
The diet of the Javelin Moth - Hodges#2707 includes Juncus (U.S. Bureau of Entomology rearing) according to Heinrich (1926). Larva feeds on leaves, fascicles and basal bulbs of Cyperus esculentus , Scirpus and Juncus according to Miller (1987)..