Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274
Herpetogramma phaeopteralis
This record describes Herpetogramma phaeopteralis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing medium to dark grayish-brown with blackish AM and PM lines; PM line toothed, sinuous; two dark spots in median area, the outer one larger; hindwing with similar pattern but slightly paler; fringe dark on all wings Larva: body grayish-green or yellowish-green with dark brown dots on each abdominal segment; head brown Type locality: Amérique Méridionale
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.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
lawns, fields, golf courses; adults may be flushed from tall grass during the day but are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
South Carolina to Florida, west to Texas, south through Central America to South America; some records from farther north here on BugGuide, MPG, etc.
Seasonal Activity
adults fly year-round in Florida but are more common from April to November, and most numerous in the fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of grasses, and are pests of turfgrass companies and golf courses
Life History
eggs are laid on grass at night, and hatch in about a week; larvae feed for 3-4 weeks; complete life cycle takes from 5 to 11 weeks; two to four generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Herpetogramma phaeopteralis. 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 Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , Beatriz Moisset , Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274
What is Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274?
Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274 (Herpetogramma phaeopteralis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274?
wingspan about 18 mm, based on photos by Jim Vargo at MPG larvae to about 25 mm
How do you identify Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274?
Adult: forewing medium to dark grayish-brown with blackish AM and PM lines; PM line toothed, sinuous; two dark spots in median area, the outer one larger; hindwing with similar pattern but slightly paler; fringe dark on all wings Larva: body grayish-green or yellowish-green with dark brown dots on each abdominal segment; head brown
Where is Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | lawns, fields, golf courses; adults may be flushed from tall grass during the day but are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | South Carolina to Florida, west to Texas, south through Central America to South America; some records from farther north here on BugGuide, MPG, etc. |
What does Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274 eat?
The diet of the Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274 includes larvae feed on leaves of grasses, and are pests of turfgrass companies and golf courses.
When is Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274 active?
Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274: seasonal activity - adults fly year-round in Florida but are more common from April to November, and most numerous in the fall.
What is the life cycle of a Dusky Herpetogramma - Hodges#5274?
eggs are laid on grass at night, and hatch in about a week; larvae feed for 3-4 weeks; complete life cycle takes from 5 to 11 weeks; two to four generations per year