Riley's Lappet Moth - Hodges#7685
Heteropacha rileyana
This record describes Heteropacha rileyana (species). Recorded family: Lasiocampidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species is considered endangered over parts of its range
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Lasiocampoidea
- Family
- Lasiocampidae (Tent Caterpillar and Lappet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Lasiocampinae
- Tribe
- Gastropachini
- Genus
- Heteropacha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Moth Photographers Group map
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heteropacha rileyana. 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 Riley's Lappet Moth - Hodges#7685 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Riley's Lappet Moth - Hodges#7685
What is Riley's Lappet Moth - Hodges#7685?
Riley's Lappet Moth - Hodges#7685 (Heteropacha rileyana) is a species in the family Lasiocampidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Riley's Lappet Moth - Hodges#7685?
The wingspan is 27–36 mm.
Where is Riley's Lappet Moth - Hodges#7685 found?
Range: Moth Photographers Group map