Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361
Macrochilo louisiana
This record describes Macrochilo louisiana (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forbes (1922) original description as Xylormisa louisiana is online and linked in the print references. Forewing variably off-white, cream-colored, pale brown or grayish-yellow, with scattered dark scales; two widely-separated discal dots; PM line a faint diagonal arc; subterminal line faint, pale; terminal line a series of dark dashes; hindwing dirty white with faint darker subterminal line.
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
Wet meadows, fens, wetland edges; adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Geographic Range
Quebec and Maine to Florida , west to Texas, north to Alberta. Holotype from Sabine River Ferry, Louisiana in June, 1917.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly from June to September in the north; as early as February in the south.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name for the holotype collection site of Louisiana.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macrochilo louisiana. 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 Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361
What is Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361?
Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361 (Macrochilo louisiana) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361?
Forbes (1922) listed a wingspan of 18 mm. Wingspan averages 20-27 mm.
How do you identify Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361?
Forbes (1922) original description as Xylormisa louisiana is online and linked in the print references. Forewing variably off-white, cream-colored, pale brown or grayish-yellow, with scattered dark scales; two widely-separated discal dots; PM line a faint diagonal arc; subterminal line faint, pale; terminal line a series of dark dashes; hindwing dirty white with faint darker subterminal line.
Where is Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wet meadows, fens, wetland edges; adults are nocturnal and come to light. |
| Range | Quebec and Maine to Florida , west to Texas, north to Alberta. Holotype from Sabine River Ferry, Louisiana in June, 1917. |
When is Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361 active?
Louisiana Macrochilo - Hodges#8361: seasonal activity - The adults fly from June to September in the north; as early as February in the south..