Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035
Inga cretacea
This record describes Inga cretacea (species). Recorded family: Oecophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Fossil records of this species have been dated from the Upper Cretaceous period. (p. 223)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Oecophoridae (Concealer Moths)
- Subfamily
- Oecophorinae
- Tribe
- Oecophorini
- Genus
- Inga
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner reported the range to include North Carolina to Florida, Oklahoma to Arizona. , , , , Moth Photographers Group expands the range to Maryland and Kansas. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is April through November. Heppner (2003) reported April to August, October, November in Florida. ( 6 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) reported the host was unknown. ( 6 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Inga cretacea. 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 Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035 (9)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035
What is Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035?
Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035 (Inga cretacea) is a species in the family Oecophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035?
Wingspan 14-16 mm.
Where is Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035 found?
Range: Heppner reported the range to include North Carolina to Florida, Oklahoma to Arizona. , , , , Moth Photographers Group expands the range to Maryland and Kansas. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
What does Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035 eat?
The diet of the Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035 includes Heppner (2003) reported the host was unknown. ( 6 ).
When is Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035 active?
Chalky Inga - Hodges#1035: seasonal activity - The main flight period is April through November. Heppner (2003) reported April to August, October, November in Florida. ( 6 ).