Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072
Idioglossa miraculosa
This record describes Idioglossa miraculosa (species). Recorded family: Epimarptidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : Yellow with metallic fasciae on the hind wings only (our only microlep species to feature this), and its very distinctive resting posture, in which the wings are held partially spread at a characteristic angle.
Wikipedia reference for Idioglossa miraculosa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioglossa_miraculosa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Epimarptidae
- Genus
- Idioglossa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Moth Photographers Group – distribution & flight-period chart
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larva is a leaf skeletonizer of deer-tongue grass, Dichanthelium clandestinum , a plant found in low-lying deciduous forest
Life History
There are two or three complete generations, with non-wintering larvae present from May through late August. The largest numbers of individuals occur in August
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The genus name means "unique tongue," refering to the adult moth's long maxillary tufts
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Idioglossa miraculosa. 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 Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , ceiseman , Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072
What is Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072?
Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072 (Idioglossa miraculosa) is a species in the family Epimarptidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072?
Adult : Yellow with metallic fasciae on the hind wings only (our only microlep species to feature this), and its very distinctive resting posture, in which the wings are held partially spread at a characteristic angle.
Where is Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072 found?
Range: Moth Photographers Group – distribution & flight-period chart
What does Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072 eat?
The diet of the Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072 includes larva is a leaf skeletonizer of deer-tongue grass, Dichanthelium clandestinum , a plant found in low-lying deciduous forest.
What is the life cycle of a Idioglossa miraculosa - Hodges#1072?
There are two or three complete generations, with non-wintering larvae present from May through late August. The largest numbers of individuals occur in August