Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1
Elaphria deltoides
This record describes Elaphria deltoides (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing medium brown with large dark brown patch along inner margin, extending more than halfway to costa; patch shape somewhat triangular, resembling a shark's dorsal fin (anterior margin a convex arc; posterior margin slightly concave, almost straight); reniform spot dark brown; PM line zigzags under reniform spot before joining posterior margin of dark patch; some darker shading extends in a widening V shape from PM line to outer margin; hindwing pale yellowish, shading to brownish near outer margin
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Elaphriini
- Genus
- Elaphria (Midgets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Florida and Mexico to Brazil
Seasonal Activity
adults may be present all year; most numerous from November to February in Guadeloupe
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Elaphria deltoides. 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 Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson
Frequently Asked Questions About Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1
What is Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1?
Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1 (Elaphria deltoides) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1?
wingspan 19-21 mm, based on photos by Jim Vargo and Matthew Barnes
How do you identify Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1?
Adult: forewing medium brown with large dark brown patch along inner margin, extending more than halfway to costa; patch shape somewhat triangular, resembling a shark's dorsal fin (anterior margin a convex arc; posterior margin slightly concave, almost straight); reniform spot dark brown; PM line zigzags under reniform spot before joining posterior margin of dark patch; some darker shading extends in a widening V shape from PM line to outer margin; hindwing pale yellowish, shading to brownish near outer margin
Where is Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1 found?
Range: Florida and Mexico to Brazil
When is Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1 active?
Elaphria deltoides - Hodges#9679.1: seasonal activity - adults may be present all year; most numerous from November to February in Guadeloupe.