Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1
Cicinnus chambersi
This record describes Cicinnus chambersi (species). Recorded family: Mimallonidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The only Cicinnus known to occur in southern Arizona, but can be distinguished from the other Cicinnus found in the USA, C. melsheimeri, by the acuter angle of the postmedial line near the apex of the wing, the usually more sharply hooked forewing apex, and a more homogenous sandy beige-pink coloration overall.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Mimallonoidea
- Family
- Mimallonidae (Sack-bearer Moths)
- Genus
- Cicinnus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Oak-dominated habitat in the sky island mountain ranges, from elevations of 1,155 m to 1,828 m.
Geographic Range
Definitively known only from Southern Arizona, but undoubtedly occurs in northwestern Mexico. In fact, this species likely only recently became established in the USA.
Seasonal Activity
The monsoon season: early July to early August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown
Life History
Unknown
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cicinnus chambersi. 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 Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ryan St Laurent; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1
What is Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1?
Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1 (Cicinnus chambersi) is a species in the family Mimallonidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | forewing |
| Length | 20–22 mm |
| Wingspan | 39–45 mm |
| Female | forewing |
| Length | 28 mm |
| Wingspan | 60 mm |
How do you identify Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1?
The only Cicinnus known to occur in southern Arizona, but can be distinguished from the other Cicinnus found in the USA, C. melsheimeri, by the acuter angle of the postmedial line near the apex of the wing, the usually more sharply hooked forewing apex, and a more homogenous sandy beige-pink coloration overall.
Where is Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Oak-dominated habitat in the sky island mountain ranges, from elevations of 1,155 m to 1,828 m. |
| Range | Definitively known only from Southern Arizona, but undoubtedly occurs in northwestern Mexico. In fact, this species likely only recently became established in the USA. |
What does Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1 eat?
The diet of the Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1 includes Unknown.
When is Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1 active?
Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1: seasonal activity - The monsoon season: early July to early August.
What is the life cycle of a Chambers' Sack-bearer Moth - Hodges#7662.1?
Unknown