Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121
Microphysetica hermeasalis
This record describes Microphysetica hermeasalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Hydririni
- Genus
- Microphysetica
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner listed the range as Florida; West Indies, Mexico to Venezuela. ,
Seasonal Activity
Heppner (2003) reported adults in Florida from March to June, November to December. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) listed the host plant as unknown. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Microphysetica hermeasalis. 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 Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121
Where is Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121 found?
Range: Heppner listed the range as Florida; West Indies, Mexico to Venezuela. ,
What does Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121 eat?
The diet of the Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121 includes Heppner (2003) listed the host plant as unknown. ( 3 ).
When is Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121 active?
Microphysetica hermeasalis - Hodges#5121: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported adults in Florida from March to June, November to December. ( 3 ).