Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815
Eremanthe chemsaki
This record describes Eremanthe chemsaki (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Munroe original description is in MONA. Determined by Ed Knudson (Texas Lepidoptera Survey). Diurnal .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Odontiinae
- Tribe
- Odontiini
- Genus
- Eremanthe
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Based on live obseravtions, appears to be associated with Hole-in-the-sand Plants ( Nicolletia spp.). Adults sit on the flowers.
Geographic Range
California; Mexico. Holotype from Red Rock Canyon State Park, California (California Academy of Sciences Collection).
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be March to May. ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The species name is in honor of John Chemsak
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eremanthe chemsaki. 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 Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by James Bailey , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815
What is Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815?
Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815 (Eremanthe chemsaki) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815?
Munroe original description is in MONA. Determined by Ed Knudson (Texas Lepidoptera Survey).
Where is Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Based on live obseravtions, appears to be associated with Hole-in-the-sand Plants ( Nicolletia spp.). Adults sit on the flowers. |
| Range | California; Mexico. Holotype from Red Rock Canyon State Park, California (California Academy of Sciences Collection). |
When is Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815 active?
Chemsak's Desert Moth - Hodges#4815: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be March to May. ( 4 ).