Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146
Epipagis forsythae
This record describes Epipagis forsythae (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown with white markings in AM, median, and subterminal areas; dark PM line widens into broad base at inner margin; small white patch beyond PM line at anal angle; hindwing mostly white, with 2 or 3 dark discal spots, and dark shading in triangular area across apex Type locality: USA, Florida, Florida City
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Nomophilini
- Genus
- Epipagis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Florida (and elsewhere?)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Epipagis forsythae. 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 Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146
What is Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146?
Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146 (Epipagis forsythae) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146?
wingspan about 21 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146?
Adult: forewing brown with white markings in AM, median, and subterminal areas; dark PM line widens into broad base at inner margin; small white patch beyond PM line at anal angle; hindwing mostly white, with 2 or 3 dark discal spots, and dark shading in triangular area across apex
Where is Forsyth's Epipagis - Hodges#5146 found?
Range: Florida (and elsewhere?)