Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280
Herpetogramma aeglealis
This record describes Herpetogramma aeglealis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults are sexually dimorphic. The HW of the males are dirty white with dark-grey shading on the discal spot, wing veins, subterminal area and an irregular but contrasting PM. Females have a golden hue. There are two forms, the typical form, and a darker form. See images on Wikipedia . Separated from similar species by light patch between two median spots on forewing, and by a distinctive patch of light (or white) fringed scales on tornus of forewing.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Herpetogrammatini
- Genus
- Herpetogramma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Life cycle images: 1.leaf roll on fern 2.folded leaf shelter on Wild Ginger 3.larva 4.older larva 5.adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Herpetogramma aeglealis. 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 Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz , Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd
Frequently Asked Questions About Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280
What is Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280?
Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280 (Herpetogramma aeglealis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 29–34 mm |
| Female | 27–31 mm |
How do you identify Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280?
Adults are sexually dimorphic. The HW of the males are dirty white with dark-grey shading on the discal spot, wing veins, subterminal area and an irregular but contrasting PM. Females have a golden hue. There are two forms, the typical form, and a darker form. See images on Wikipedia .
What is the life cycle of a Serpentine Webworm - Hodges#5280?
Life cycle images: 1.leaf roll on fern 2.folded leaf shelter on Wild Ginger 3.larva 4.older larva 5.adult