Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414
Dione moneta
This record describes Dione moneta (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Underwing pattern extremely similar to Gulf Fritillary, but with a more distinct red patch along the leading edge of the forewing. On the upperwings there is a very strong contrast between the darker inner sections and brighter outer sections. Behavior is fairly distinct from Gulf Fritillary, usually flying higher and faster.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Heliconiinae
- Tribe
- Heliconiini
- Genus
- Dione (Silverspots)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forest edges and openings
Geographic Range
Az to TX, mostly southmost TX, but strays to Dallas / Mexico to Brazil (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
recorded year-round in so. TX (MPG)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults are nectar feeders; caterpillars feed on foliage of Passiflora spp.
Life History
Jan Dauphin's life history study
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dione moneta Hübner, [1825]
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dione moneta. 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 Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414
What is Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414?
Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414 (Dione moneta) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414?
Underwing pattern extremely similar to Gulf Fritillary, but with a more distinct red patch along the leading edge of the forewing. On the upperwings there is a very strong contrast between the darker inner sections and brighter outer sections.
Where is Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest edges and openings |
| Range | Az to TX, mostly southmost TX, but strays to Dallas / Mexico to Brazil (MPG) |
What does Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414 eat?
The diet of the Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414 includes Adults are nectar feeders; caterpillars feed on foliage of Passiflora spp..
When is Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414 active?
Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414: seasonal activity - recorded year-round in so. TX (MPG).
What is the life cycle of a Mexican Silverspot - Hodges#4414?
Jan Dauphin's life history study