Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739
Hemileuca chinatiensis
This record describes Hemileuca chinatiensis (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
- Subfamily
- Hemileucinae
- Tribe
- Hemileucini
- Genus
- Hemileuca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
shrubby desert areas
Geographic Range
se NM to w. TX (Trans-Pecos) - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
Adults reported in April; September into November.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Littleleaf sumac - [url=https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Rhus%20microphylla.pngRhus microphylla[/url] (Anacardiaceae) is the most commonly used foodplant. The larvae have a strong preference for flower buds over foliage. (Michael Van Buskirk, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2007)
Life History
Flight Time: Mainly late-morning to mid-afternoon (11AM to 3PM).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Type Locality: Shafter, Chinati Mountains, Texas
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hemileuca chinatiensis. 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 Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739
Where is Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | shrubby desert areas |
| Range | se NM to w. TX (Trans-Pecos) - Map (MPG) |
What does Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739 eat?
The diet of the Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739 includes Littleleaf sumac - [url=https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Rhus%20microphylla.pngRhus microphylla[/url] (Anacardiaceae) is the most commonly used foodplant. The larvae have a strong preference for flower buds over foliage. (Michael Van Buskirk, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2007).
When is Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739 active?
Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739: seasonal activity - Adults reported in April; September into November..
What is the life cycle of a Chinati Sheepmoth - Hodges#7739?
Flight Time: Mainly late-morning to mid-afternoon (11AM to 3PM).