Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103
Michaelophorus indentatus
This record describes Michaelophorus indentatus (species). Recorded family: Pterophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
See the identification key for Platyptiliini . See the species accounts in Matthews et al. and Gielis . The species is characterized by the weakly marked grey-brown forewings; the third lobe of the hindwing which has a row of prominent scales along the costa and the subterminal dorsal scale-tooth; the dorsum of the abdomen has mirrored, white zigzag lines. -- Gielis, Neotropical species of the family Pterophoridae The abdominal pattern is distinctive.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pterophoroidea
- Family
- Pterophoridae (Plume Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pterophorinae
- Tribe
- Platyptiliini
- Genus
- Michaelophorus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ to w. TX / Mex. to Brazil
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Michaelophorus indentatus. 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 Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , treichard
Frequently Asked Questions About Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103
What is Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103?
Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103 (Michaelophorus indentatus) is a species in the family Pterophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103?
Wingspan 12mm
How do you identify Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103?
See the identification key for Platyptiliini . See the species accounts in Matthews et al. and Gielis . The species is characterized by the weakly marked grey-brown forewings; the third lobe of the hindwing which has a row of prominent scales along the costa and the subterminal dorsal scale-tooth; the dorsum of the abdomen has mirrored, white zigzag lines. -- Gielis, Neotropical species of the family Pterophoridae The abdominal pattern is distinctive.
Where is Hourglass Plume Moth - Hodges#6103 found?
Range: AZ to w. TX / Mex. to Brazil