LepidopteraErebidae

Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147

Hypercompe caudata

This record describes Hypercompe caudata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 - Hypercompe caudata
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Hampson (1901) revised description as Ecpantheria caudata Walker, is available in the print references.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Erebidae
Subfamily
Arctiinae
Tribe
Arctiini
Genus
Hypercompe

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southern Texas and southern Arizona to Columbia. ,

Seasonal Activity

January, April, October and November. ( 4 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypercompe caudata. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 (5)

Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147

What is Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147?

Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 (Hypercompe caudata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147?

Hampson (1901) listed a wingspan of ♂ 56 mm; ♀ 86 mm.

How do you identify Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147?

Hampson (1901) revised description as Ecpantheria caudata Walker, is available in the print references.

Where is Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 found?

Range: Southern Texas and southern Arizona to Columbia. ,

When is Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147 active?

Hypercompe caudata - Hodges#8147: seasonal activity - January, April, October and November. ( 4 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.