Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594
Cissusa indiscreta
This record describes Cissusa indiscreta (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Miller & Hammond (2003) describe the larva as mottled silver, grey and black. ( 5 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Melipotini
- Genus
- Cissusa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry oak woodlands. ( 5 )
Geographic Range
British Columbia to southern California and central Colorado. ( 6 ) , ( 4 ) Holotype from Havilah, Kern County, California.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on oak species including canyon live oak ( Quercus chrysolepis ) and Oregon white oak ( Quercus garryana ). ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cissusa indiscreta. 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 Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594
What is Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594?
Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594 (Cissusa indiscreta) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594?
Wingspan about 35-42 mm. Edwards (1886), ( 3 ) Forewing length 18-20 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594?
Miller & Hammond (2003) describe the larva as mottled silver, grey and black. ( 5 )
Where is Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry oak woodlands. ( 5 ) |
| Range | British Columbia to southern California and central Colorado. ( 6 ) , ( 4 ) Holotype from Havilah, Kern County, California. |
What does Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594 eat?
The diet of the Indiscrete Cissusa Moth - Hodges#8594 includes The larvae feed on oak species including canyon live oak ( Quercus chrysolepis ) and Oregon white oak ( Quercus garryana ). ( 4 ).