LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447

Mammifrontia rileyi

This record describes Mammifrontia rileyi (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 - Mammifrontia rileyi
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Apameini
Genus
Mammifrontia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

California. Holotype ♂ from Glendale, California in April.

Seasonal Activity

The main flight period appears to be April to July.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mammifrontia rileyi. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 (5)

Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447

What is Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447?

Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 (Mammifrontia rileyi) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447?

Benjamin (1936) listed the wingspan. ♂ 29 mm. ♀ 30-34 mm.

How do you identify Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447?

Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).

Where is Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 found?

Range: California. Holotype ♂ from Glendale, California in April.

When is Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447 active?

Mammifrontia rileyi - Hodges#9447: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to July..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.