Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064
Cerathosia tricolor
This record describes Cerathosia tricolor (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The fore wings are pure white, spotted with black, the hind wings are pale yellow. uncommon and local
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Stiriinae
- Tribe
- Annaphilini
- Genus
- Cerathosia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Edwards Plateau
Geographic Range
Central Texas - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
apparently has spring and fall generations (BG & MPG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae on rainlily ( Copperia )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cerathosia tricolor Smith, 1887
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cerathosia tricolor. 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 Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064
What is Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064?
Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064 (Cerathosia tricolor) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064?
30mm (based on Vargo specimen)
How do you identify Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064?
The fore wings are pure white, spotted with black, the hind wings are pale yellow.
Where is Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Edwards Plateau |
| Range | Central Texas - Map (MPG) |
What does Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064 eat?
The diet of the Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064 includes larvae on rainlily ( Copperia ).
When is Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064 active?
Cerathosia tricolor - Hodges#9064: seasonal activity - apparently has spring and fall generations (BG & MPG data).