Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1
Macrochilo hypocritalis
This record describes Macrochilo hypocritalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
In hypocritalis the ST line stops just shy of the apex (actually stopping against the distal edge just below the apex), whereas in absorptalis, it reaches the apex. ( J.D. Roberts ) Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) from Mark Dreiling .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Herminiinae
- Genus
- Macrochilo
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open, herb-dominated wetlands, including salt and freshwater marshes and wet, sedgy swales. Adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Geographic Range
Eastern US; does not fly in Canada [though a recent record from Michigan's thumb suggests that it should be looked for in southern Ontario] Moth Photographers Group has large range map.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macrochilo hypocritalis. 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 Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , pomarinejaeger , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1
What is Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1?
Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1 (Macrochilo hypocritalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1?
Wingspan about 18 mm.
How do you identify Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1?
In hypocritalis the ST line stops just shy of the apex (actually stopping against the distal edge just below the apex), whereas in absorptalis, it reaches the apex. ( J.D. Roberts ) Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) from Mark Dreiling .
Where is Twin-dotted Macrochilo - Hodges#8357.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open, herb-dominated wetlands, including salt and freshwater marshes and wet, sedgy swales. Adults are nocturnal and come to light. |
| Range | Eastern US; does not fly in Canada [though a recent record from Michigan's thumb suggests that it should be looked for in southern Ontario] Moth Photographers Group has large range map. |