Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843
Madoryx pseudothyreus
This record describes Madoryx pseudothyreus (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Dilophonotini
- Genus
- Madoryx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mangrove swamps, shrubby salt marshes, and shorelines where black mangrove persists
Geographic Range
coastal areas of southern Florida and the Keys, common in Biscayne National Park
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Black Mangrove ( Avicennia germinans ) - usda.gov - plant information
Life History
eggs laid singly on host plant. Mature larvae spin a cocoon on the tree above ground
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: From the prefix pseudo- (Greek pseudos / ψευδος- "lie, falsehood") meaning "false, imitation" + Thyreus: Grote thought the general coloration resembled that of Sphecodina abbottii , which was known at the time as Thyreus abbottii
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Madoryx pseudothyreus. 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 Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson , Chuck Entz , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843
How big is Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843?
wingspan 6.6-7 cm
Where is Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mangrove swamps, shrubby salt marshes, and shorelines where black mangrove persists |
| Range | coastal areas of southern Florida and the Keys, common in Biscayne National Park |
What does Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843 eat?
The diet of the Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843 includes larvae feed on Black Mangrove ( Avicennia germinans ) - usda.gov - plant information.
What is the life cycle of a Madoryx pseudothyreus - Hodges#7843?
eggs laid singly on host plant. Mature larvae spin a cocoon on the tree above ground