Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217
Leucanopsis longa
This record describes Leucanopsis longa (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light orangish-yellow speckled with brown; dark brown streak from base to outer margin near apex; hindwing whitish, translucent, unmarked [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Arctiinae
- Tribe
- Arctiini
- Genus
- Leucanopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Marshes and wet sedge meadows.
Geographic Range
North Carolina to Florida, west along coast to eastern Texas. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 )
Seasonal Activity
Heppner (2003) reported the adults fly all year in Florida. ( 7 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae probably feed on grasses; the only recorded host is a "wide-bladed marsh grass that grows near freshwater lakes and ponds" [Covell's Guide] Heppner (2003) reported marsh grass. ( 7 )
Life History
( 8 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Leucanopsis longa. 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 Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217
What is Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217?
Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217 (Leucanopsis longa) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217?
Wingspan 38-48 mm. Grote reported a forewing length of 25 mm.
How do you identify Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217?
Adult: forewing light orangish-yellow speckled with brown; dark brown streak from base to outer margin near apex; hindwing whitish, translucent, unmarked [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Where is Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Marshes and wet sedge meadows. |
| Range | North Carolina to Florida, west along coast to eastern Texas. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) |
What does Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217 eat?
The diet of the Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217 includes Larvae probably feed on grasses; the only recorded host is a wide-bladed marsh grass that grows near freshwater lakes and ponds [Covell's Guide] Heppner (2003) reported marsh grass. ( 7 ).
When is Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217 active?
Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported the adults fly all year in Florida. ( 7 ).
What is the life cycle of a Long-streaked Tussock Moth - Hodges#8217?
( 8 )