Cisthene liberomacula - Hodges#8062
Cisthene liberomacula
This record describes Cisthene liberomacula (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Habitat
almost always found in association with coastal live oaks
Geographic Range
coastal California
Diet and Behavior
Diet: lichens on oaks
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cisthene liberomacula. 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 Cisthene liberomacula - Hodges#8062 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by Ron M. , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Cisthene liberomacula - Hodges#8062
How big is Cisthene liberomacula - Hodges#8062?
forewing length 8-10 mm
Where is Cisthene liberomacula - Hodges#8062 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | almost always found in association with coastal live oaks |
| Range | coastal California |
What does Cisthene liberomacula - Hodges#8062 eat?
The diet of the Cisthene liberomacula - Hodges#8062 includes lichens on oaks.