Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143
Diacme adipaloides
This record describes Diacme adipaloides (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Resembles Paler Diacme, but darker FW is grayish brown with irregular pale orange bands. HW is paler yellow with wide brown border. According to Brian Scholtens and others, the presence of a basal line on the hindwing is diagnostic for the Darker Diacme. reference Despite the common name, some forms of the Darker Diacme can be just as pale as the Paler Diacme, but the presence or absence of the basal line is distinctive. Image showing hindwing basal line/loop: Identification based on this marking seems to be supported by DNA evidence at BOLD. The BIN group for elealis , AAE7559 , shows no examples with the basal line/loop. All examples show a pale yellow basal area with no dark markings. The BIN for adipaloides , AAB2577 shows no examples with this mark absent. The BOLD sample size for elealis is small and these two species may be part of a complex with undescribed species. Brian Scholtens expressed in an email from 12/5/2017 that the taxonomy in this group may not be settled. I do call some things D. elealis in SC, but these have a different wing shape, and never have any hint of a basal line on the HW. I call everything with a basal line D. adipaloides . Brian Scholtens - reference here
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Nomophilini
- Genus
- Diacme
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Widespread in the eastern United States.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The host plants are unknown
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Diacme adipaloides. 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 Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Robert Lord Zimlich , Chuck Sexton , dennepj10 , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143
What is Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143?
Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143 (Diacme adipaloides) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143?
18mm WS
How do you identify Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143?
Resembles Paler Diacme, but darker FW is grayish brown with irregular pale orange bands. HW is paler yellow with wide brown border. According to Brian Scholtens and others, the presence of a basal line on the hindwing is diagnostic for the Darker Diacme. reference Despite the common name, some forms of the Darker Diacme can be just as pale as the Paler Diacme, but the presence or absence of the basal line is distinctive. Image showing hindwing basal line/loop: Identification based on this marking seems to be supported by DNA evidence at BOLD. The BIN group for elealis , AAE7559 , shows no examples with the basal line/loop. All examples show a pale yellow basal area with no dark markings. The BIN for adipaloides , AAB2577 shows no examples with this mark absent. The BOLD sample size for elealis is small and these two species may be part of a complex with undescribed species. Brian Scholtens expressed in an email from 12/5/2017 that the taxonomy in this group may not be settled.
Where is Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143 found?
Range: Widespread in the eastern United States.
What does Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143 eat?
The diet of the Darker Diacme Moth - Hodges#5143 includes The host plants are unknown.