Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944
Crocidophora serratissimalis
This record describes Crocidophora serratissimalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dull yellow with brown PM line having prominent outward bulge near middle, and conspicuously toothed subterminal line; hindwing paler and with arc-shaped PM line that has no bulge See Forbes Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pyraustinae
- Tribe
- Pyraustini
- Genus
- Crocidophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Quebec and New England to South Carolina, west to Manitoba and supposedly Texas but the name does not appear on these lists from Texas [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]; type specimen collected in Massachusetts
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae have been reared on Rice Cutgrass ( Leersia oryzoides )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: serratissimalis : from the Latin "serratus", past participle of "serrare" (to saw); serrate means notched on the edge like the teeth of a saw, perhaps referring to the shape of the distinctive subterminal line, and is the origin of the suggested common name Sawtoothed Crocidophora
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Crocidophora serratissimalis. 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 Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Nick Block , ceiseman , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944
What is Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944?
Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944 (Crocidophora serratissimalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944?
wingspan 18-25 mm
How do you identify Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944?
Adult: forewing dull yellow with brown PM line having prominent outward bulge near middle, and conspicuously toothed subterminal line; hindwing paler and with arc-shaped PM line that has no bulge See Forbes Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Where is Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944 found?
Range: Quebec and New England to South Carolina, west to Manitoba and supposedly Texas but the name does not appear on these lists from Texas [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]; type specimen collected in Massachusetts
What does Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944 eat?
The diet of the Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944 includes larvae have been reared on Rice Cutgrass ( Leersia oryzoides ).
When is Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944 active?
Sawtoothed Crocidophora - Hodges#4944: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September.