Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264
Microthyris prolongalis
This record describes Microthyris prolongalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The hyaline spot is much larger in the females. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 ) Holotype ♂ collected in Brazil.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Agroterini
- Genus
- Microthyris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) reported the range as Florida, Texas; West Indies, Mexico to Brazil. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
Heppner (2003) reported adults in Florida during the months of June, October and December. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) listed the host plant as unknown. ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Microthyris prolongalis. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264
What is Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264?
Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264 (Microthyris prolongalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264?
Guenée (1854) listed the wingspan as 33 mm.
How do you identify Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264?
The hyaline spot is much larger in the females. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )
Where is Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) reported the range as Florida, Texas; West Indies, Mexico to Brazil. ( 4 )
What does Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264 eat?
The diet of the Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264 includes Heppner (2003) listed the host plant as unknown. ( 4 ).
When is Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264 active?
Microthyris prolongalis - Hodges#5264: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported adults in Florida during the months of June, October and December. ( 4 ).