Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961
Hahncappsia alpinensis
This record describes Hahncappsia alpinensis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A little larger that Hahncappsia fordi with ground color paler and markings weaker. Photo from C. W. Melton of a specimen that was identified by DNA.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pyraustinae
- Tribe
- Pyraustini
- Genus
- Hahncappsia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
White Mountains of Arizona to southern part of state and eastward to Brownsville, TX.
Seasonal Activity
March to September
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hahncappsia alpinensis. 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 Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Kyhl Austin , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961
What is Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961?
Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961 (Hahncappsia alpinensis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961?
forewing length 11-12 mm
How do you identify Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961?
A little larger that Hahncappsia fordi with ground color paler and markings weaker. Photo from C. W. Melton of a specimen that was identified by DNA.
Where is Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961 found?
Range: White Mountains of Arizona to southern part of state and eastward to Brownsville, TX.
When is Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961 active?
Hahncappsia alpinensis - Hodges#4961: seasonal activity - March to September.