Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754
Elophila tinealis
This record describes Elophila tinealis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing and hindwing dark brown or blackish with silvery-white patch in medial area, and sparse white dots; abdomen dark with white ring around each segment, and stout triangular or cone-shaped terminal segment Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acentropinae
- Tribe
- Nymphulini
- Genus
- Elophila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
larvae develop in standing water in swamps and wet woods where food plant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
Michigan, Ontario, and New York, south to Florida, west to Texas
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from July to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on duckweed ( Lemna spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Elophila tinealis. 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 Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Nick Block , Blocky , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754
What is Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754?
Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754 (Elophila tinealis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754?
wingspan about 10 mm
How do you identify Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754?
forewing and hindwing dark brown or blackish with silvery-white patch in medial area, and sparse white dots; abdomen dark with white ring around each segment, and stout triangular or cone-shaped terminal segment Genitalia:
Where is Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | larvae develop in standing water in swamps and wet woods where food plant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | Michigan, Ontario, and New York, south to Florida, west to Texas |
What does Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754 eat?
The diet of the Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754 includes larvae feed on duckweed ( Lemna spp.).
When is Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754 active?
Black Duckweed Moth - Hodges#4754: seasonal activity - adults fly from July to September.