Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896
Chalcoela pegasalis
This record describes Chalcoela pegasalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown in basal and terminal areas, and densely speckled with gray in median area; AM and PM lines white, thick; AM line either smoothly rounded or slightly wavy; PM line with large V-shaped lobe projecting toward outer margin; small but distinct white strip at apex; hindwing mostly speckled gray with two diffuse blackish patches in lower median area; central portion of fringe checkered with metallic blackish and pale scales, bordered proximally by a thick white strip Larvae of a related species, Chalcoela iphitalis , also feed on the larvae of Polistes wasps, according to Pyralid expert Alma Solis in this article .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Glaphyriinae
- Genus
- Chalcoela
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
may be found around or sometimes in homes, or anywhere in the vicinity of Polistes wasp nests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
southern Ontario and Maryland to Florida, east to Texas, north to Illinois also occurs in Jamaica (where the type specimen was collected), the French Antilles, and perhaps elsewhere in the West Indies
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae are parasitoids , feeding on the larvae of paper wasps ( Polistes spp.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "Pegasus" perhaps refers to the white mark on the forewing, resembling the raised wing of the mythical flying horse.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chalcoela pegasalis. 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 Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Chuck Entz , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896
What is Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896?
Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896 (Chalcoela pegasalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896?
wingspan 14-18 mm
How do you identify Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896?
Adult: forewing brown in basal and terminal areas, and densely speckled with gray in median area; AM and PM lines white, thick; AM line either smoothly rounded or slightly wavy; PM line with large V-shaped lobe projecting toward outer margin; small but distinct white strip at apex; hindwing mostly speckled gray with two diffuse blackish patches in lower median area; central portion of fringe checkered with metallic blackish and pale scales, bordered proximally by a thick white strip
Where is Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | may be found around or sometimes in homes, or anywhere in the vicinity of Polistes wasp nests; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | southern Ontario and Maryland to Florida, east to Texas, north to Illinois also occurs in Jamaica (where the type specimen was collected), the French Antilles, and perhaps elsewhere in the West Indies |
What does Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896 eat?
The diet of the Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896 includes larvae are parasitoids , feeding on the larvae of paper wasps ( Polistes spp.).
When is Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896 active?
Pegasus Chalcoela Moth - Hodges#4896: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to September.