Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688
Monoleuca occidentalis
This record describes Monoleuca occidentalis (species). Recorded family: Limacodidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Zygaenoidea
- Family
- Limacodidae (Slug Caterpillar Moths)
- Genus
- Monoleuca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern California and northern Baja California. ,
Seasonal Activity
Powell & Opler reported the flight period is July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Powell & Opler stated the larvae and host are unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Monoleuca occidentalis. 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 Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688
What is Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688?
Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688 (Monoleuca occidentalis) is a species in the family Limacodidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688?
Powell & Opler listed the forewing length 9-14 mm.
How do you identify Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688?
Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )
Where is Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688 found?
Range: Southern California and northern Baja California. ,
What does Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688 eat?
The diet of the Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688 includes Powell & Opler stated the larvae and host are unknown..
When is Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688 active?
Monoleuca occidentalis - Hodges#4688: seasonal activity - Powell & Opler reported the flight period is July to September..