Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980
Helvibotys helvialis
This record describes Helvibotys helvialis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing variably yellowish, orangish, or tan with brown AM and PM lines; AM line a smooth shallow arc, almost straight; PM line a smooth shallow S-shaped curve; two discal spots in median area near costa are same color as AM and PM lines; hindwing similar color as forewing but AM line absent and PM line reduced to short straight portion near middle of wing. Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pyraustinae
- Tribe
- Pyraustini
- Genus
- Helvibotys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Massachusetts to Ontario, south to Florida in the east and Brownsville, TX to the west
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be adults fly from April to September; longer period in California.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on pigweed ( Amaranthus spp.) and Common Beet ( Beta vulgaris )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Helvibotys helvialis. 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 Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980
What is Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980?
Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980 (Helvibotys helvialis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980?
wingspan about 17-20 mm, based on two Internet photos
How do you identify Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980?
Adult: forewing variably yellowish, orangish, or tan with brown AM and PM lines; AM line a smooth shallow arc, almost straight; PM line a smooth shallow S-shaped curve; two discal spots in median area near costa are same color as AM and PM lines; hindwing similar color as forewing but AM line absent and PM line reduced to short straight portion near middle of wing. Genitalia:
Where is Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980 found?
Range: Massachusetts to Ontario, south to Florida in the east and Brownsville, TX to the west
What does Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980 eat?
The diet of the Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980 includes The larvae feed on pigweed ( Amaranthus spp.) and Common Beet ( Beta vulgaris ).
When is Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980 active?
Helvibotys helvialis - Hodges#4980: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be adults fly from April to September; longer period in California..