Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911
Datana ranaeceps
This record describes Datana ranaeceps (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dark reddish brown with scattered white scales overlaying the forewing, giving a frosted appearance. Determined by J. Bolling Sullivan This species is associated with certain ericaceous shrubs growing in recently burned areas. It can be locally common in such habitats, but fire suppression throughout the 1900s has caused the species to decline dramatically. It is currently found mainly in coastal scrub habitats.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phalerinae
- Genus
- Datana
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Maryland to Florida and west to eastern Texas.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Datana ranaeceps. 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 Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by dennepj10 , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911
What is Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911?
Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911 (Datana ranaeceps) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911?
Wingspan about 42 mm.
How do you identify Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911?
Dark reddish brown with scattered white scales overlaying the forewing, giving a frosted appearance. Determined by J. Bolling Sullivan
Where is Post-burn Datana - Hodges#7911 found?
Range: Maryland to Florida and west to eastern Texas.