Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233
Compacta capitalis
This record describes Compacta capitalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white, semitransparent, with reddish-brown shading at base and along inner margin; at least 2 main black discal spots, an irregular subterminal line, and dark apical blotch present on both wings Polygrammodes posticata Forbes, 1923 - Forbes calls this variety posticata Grote and Robinson. However, Botis posticata Grote & Robinson 1867: 22 was later synonymized with Achyra rantalis .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Margaroniini
- Genus
- Compacta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Maryland to Florida, west to Texas and possibly Colorado, north to Illinois
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from May to August. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Compacta capitalis. 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 Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233
What is Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233?
Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233 (Compacta capitalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233?
wingspan about 35 mm. ws = 38 mm (Grote, 1881)
How do you identify Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233?
Adult: forewing white, semitransparent, with reddish-brown shading at base and along inner margin; at least 2 main black discal spots, an irregular subterminal line, and dark apical blotch present on both wings
Where is Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233 found?
Range: Maryland to Florida, west to Texas and possibly Colorado, north to Illinois
When is Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233 active?
Compacta capitalis - Hodges#5233: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from May to August. ( 3 ).