White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073
Cisthene conjuncta
This record describes Cisthene conjuncta (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar in size and general pattern to a few other Cisthene species (e.g. packardii ) but pale areas of FWs whitish. Head and thorax whitish, base of collar slightly pink; FWs dark gray with a squarish white spot on costa just beyond middle, and a broad white band along inner margin (or just offset from it by gray), thinly connected to a large rounded white spot on the rear margin and separated from the latter by a small dark gray patch. [Adapted from Barnes & McDunnogh original description and online specimen images.] Original description as Illice conjuncta is available online in the print references below. Cisthene conjuncta was listed on the January 6, 2009 petition in the Federal Register, 74: 423 , to be considered for emergency listing as endangered. Result was Not Listed . However, this species is listed among Texas' Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Identification notes
Similar in size and general pattern to a few other Cisthene species (e.g. packardii ) but pale areas of FWs whitish. Head and thorax whitish, base of collar slightly pink; FWs dark gray with a squarish white spot on costa just beyond middle, and a broad white band along inner margin (or just offset from it by gray), thinly connected to a large rounded white spot on the rear margin and separated from the latter by a small dark gray patch. [Adapted from Barnes & McDunnogh (1913) original description and online specimen images.] Original description as Illice conjuncta is available online in the print references below.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Arctiinae
- Tribe
- Lithosiini
- Genus
- Cisthene
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Texas. ( 5 ) Knowlton (1967) reportly examined a specimen from Kerrville. ( 3 ) Holotype ♂ labeled San Benito, Texas, United States, (G. Dorner).
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common in March, July, and October.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cisthene conjuncta. 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 White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073
What is White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073?
White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073 (Cisthene conjuncta) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073?
Barnes & McDunnough (1913) listed the wingspan as 15 mm.
How do you identify White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073?
Similar in size and general pattern to a few other Cisthene species (e.g. packardii ) but pale areas of FWs whitish. Head and thorax whitish, base of collar slightly pink; FWs dark gray with a squarish white spot on costa just beyond middle, and a broad white band along inner margin (or just offset from it by gray), thinly connected to a large rounded white spot on the rear margin and separated from the latter by a small dark gray patch. [Adapted from Barnes & McDunnogh (1913) original description and online specimen images.] Original description as Illice conjuncta is available online in the print references below.
Where is White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073 found?
Range: Southern Texas. ( 5 ) Knowlton (1967) reportly examined a specimen from Kerrville. ( 3 ) Holotype ♂ labeled San Benito, Texas, United States, (G. Dorner).
When is White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073 active?
White-streaked Lichen Moth - Hodges#8073: seasonal activity - The adults are most common in March, July, and October..