Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336
Idia gopheri
This record describes Idia gopheri (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Smith (1899) original description as Epizeuxis gopheri is online and linked in the print references. Uncommon to rare. ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Herminiinae
- Genus
- Idia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Armadillo and tortoise burrows. Heppner reported Idia gopheri is associated with Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise).
Geographic Range
Wagner et al. reported Louisiana to Georgia and Florida. Heppner reported the range to include Georgia and Florida. Holotype from Crescent City, Florida.
Seasonal Activity
Heppner reported January to May and October through December in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on scat and detritus.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Idia gopheri. 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 Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336
What is Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336?
Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336 (Idia gopheri) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336?
Smith (1899) listed the wingspan 28-30 mm.
How do you identify Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336?
Smith (1899) original description as Epizeuxis gopheri is online and linked in the print references.
Where is Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Armadillo and tortoise burrows. Heppner reported Idia gopheri is associated with Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoise). |
| Range | Wagner et al. reported Louisiana to Georgia and Florida. Heppner reported the range to include Georgia and Florida. Holotype from Crescent City, Florida. |
What does Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336 eat?
The diet of the Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336 includes The larvae feed on scat and detritus..
When is Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336 active?
Gopher tortoise moth - Hodges#8336: seasonal activity - Heppner reported January to May and October through December in Florida..