Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1
Baltodonta broui
This record describes Baltodonta broui (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Heterocampinae
- Genus
- Baltodonta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
That of the host plant, American Snowbell ( Styrax americanus ). Namely seasonally flooded lowland forest, swamps, marsh borders, and stream banks.
Geographic Range
NC south to FL Panhandle west to TX. Holotype: 4.2 miles NE Abita Springs, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
Seasonal Activity
Adults can be encountered from late May through October. Larvae can be found from early June through September. Two primary broods - late spring and early fall.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larva of B. broui was first discovered and reared by George Smiley in September 2013 on American Snowbell, Styrax americanus .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of noted Louisiana lepidopterist Vernon Antoine Brou Jr.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Baltodonta broui. 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 Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , George Smiley
Frequently Asked Questions About Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1
How big is Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1?
Larva grow to just under 30mm in length.
Where is Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | That of the host plant, American Snowbell ( Styrax americanus ). Namely seasonally flooded lowland forest, swamps, marsh borders, and stream banks. |
| Range | NC south to FL Panhandle west to TX. Holotype: 4.2 miles NE Abita Springs, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. |
What does Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1 eat?
The diet of the Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1 includes The larva of B. broui was first discovered and reared by George Smiley in September 2013 on American Snowbell, Styrax americanus ..
When is Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1 active?
Baltodonta broui - Hodges#7971.1: seasonal activity - Adults can be encountered from late May through October. Larvae can be found from early June through September. Two primary broods - late spring and early fall..