Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558
Litoprosopus coachella
This record describes Litoprosopus coachella (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing tan or pale gray with two dark diagonal marks along costa; hindwing has two black-rimmed white spots near anal angle. Larva: body pink, smooth; head brown. Larvae may sometimes enter homes and use bits of carpet or rug to build a cocoon. The larvae normally pupate at the base of fronds in palm trees. Larvae are eaten by Gila Woodpeckers and Northern Mockingbirds.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Dyopsinae
- Genus
- Litoprosopus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
On or near palm trees.
Geographic Range
Arizona, California, and probably southern Nevada.
Seasonal Activity
Adults have two flights from May to June and again from August to September in southern California.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on flowers of Washington fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ) and other palm species.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for the Coachella Valley (type location Palm Springs).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Litoprosopus coachella. 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 Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558
What is Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558?
Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558 (Litoprosopus coachella) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558?
Forewing length 16-30 mm.
How do you identify Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558?
Adult: forewing tan or pale gray with two dark diagonal marks along costa; hindwing has two black-rimmed white spots near anal angle. Larva: body pink, smooth; head brown.
Where is Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | On or near palm trees. |
| Range | Arizona, California, and probably southern Nevada. |
What does Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558 eat?
The diet of the Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558 includes Larvae feed on flowers of Washington fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ) and other palm species..
When is Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558 active?
Palm Flower Moth - Hodges#8558: seasonal activity - Adults have two flights from May to June and again from August to September in southern California..