Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503
Metalectra diabolica
This record describes Metalectra diabolica (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Barnes & Benjamin original description can be viewed online or in PDF. Determined by Ed Knudson, Texas Lepidoptera Survey. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Boletobiinae
- Tribe
- Boletobiini
- Genus
- Metalectra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) reported the range to include North Carolina to Florida, Arkansas to Texas. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) , ( 8 ) On the Oklahoma checklist. ( 9 ) Holotype collected in San Benito, Texas. [USNM] ( 10 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be is May to October with May the peak. ( 11 ) Heppner (2003) reported March in Florida. ( 8 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on fungi. ( 8 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Metalectra diabolica. 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 Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503
What is Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503?
Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503 (Metalectra diabolica) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503?
Barnes & Benjamin listed the wingspan 18-23 mm.
How do you identify Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503?
Barnes & Benjamin original description can be viewed online or in PDF. Determined by Ed Knudson, Texas Lepidoptera Survey. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Where is Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) reported the range to include North Carolina to Florida, Arkansas to Texas. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) , ( 8 ) On the Oklahoma checklist. ( 9 ) Holotype collected in San Benito, Texas. [USNM] ( 10 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503 eat?
The diet of the Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503 includes The larvae feed on fungi. ( 8 ).
When is Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503 active?
Diabolical Fungus Moth - Hodges#8503: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be is May to October with May the peak. ( 11 ) Heppner (2003) reported March in Florida. ( 8 ).