Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067
Diastema tigris
This record describes Diastema tigris (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Diastema leo (below) is found in FL and GA as well as the Bahamas and likely the Greater Antilles; D. lantana occurs from Central America to central TX. The two may be morphologically indistinguishable in many or most cases except by genitalia, but their respective ranges are well separated in the US. ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Condicinae
- Tribe
- Leuconyctini
- Genus
- Diastema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas ( 4 ) to Florida ( 5 ) . Native to the southeastern United States, Mexico to South America, but has been introduced to many countries as a biological control of Lantana spp. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from April through October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is Lantana camara L. (lantana) USDA plant profile
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Diastema tigris. 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 Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067
What is Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067?
Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067 (Diastema tigris) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067?
Wingspan about 25 mm.
How do you identify Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067?
Diastema leo (below) is found in FL and GA as well as the Bahamas and likely the Greater Antilles; D. lantana occurs from Central America to central TX. The two may be morphologically indistinguishable in many or most cases except by genitalia, but their respective ranges are well separated in the US. ( 3 )
Where is Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067 found?
Range: Texas ( 4 ) to Florida ( 5 ) . Native to the southeastern United States, Mexico to South America, but has been introduced to many countries as a biological control of Lantana spp. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067 eat?
The diet of the Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067 includes Larval host is Lantana camara L. (lantana) USDA plant profile.
When is Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067 active?
Lantana Moth - Hodges#9067: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from April through October..