LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620

Miracavira brillians

This record describes Miracavira brillians (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 - Miracavira brillians
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Amphipyrinae
Tribe
Psaphidini
Genus
Miracavira

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

southern Arizona and west Texas. collected in Brewster Co., Big Bend Natl Park,TX. Green Gulch, Chisos Basin

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval foodplant is Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree).

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Author: Barnes, 1901

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Miracavira brillians. 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 Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 (5)

Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 - photo 1
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 - photo 2
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 - photo 3
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 - photo 4
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 - photo 5
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620

How big is Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620?

wingspan: 37mm

Where is Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 found?

Range: southern Arizona and west Texas. collected in Brewster Co., Big Bend Natl Park,TX. Green Gulch, Chisos Basin

What does Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 eat?

The diet of the Miracavira brillians - Hodges#9620 includes Larval foodplant is Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree)..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.