Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416
Monopis dorsistrigella
This record describes Monopis dorsistrigella (species). Recorded family: Tineidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | White to very pale yellow, long haired (scaled). Palpi yellowish, folded, underside dark brown. Brown around eyes. Antenna: Brown, smooth, thick; 2/3 as long as wing. |
| Thorax | Sides (patagia) dark brown, center white to very pale yellow. Underside grayish-yellow. Wings: Dark brown; somewhat tinged with red flecks; inner margin a broad white to very pale yellow band, widening at center and again near wing tip. Costa margin has large white to very pale yellow patch starting at center. White flecked patch at costal edge of wing tip. Fringe mixed whitish and brown, blending with wing colors. Hind wings light brownish-red. Fringe gray. |
| Legs | Whitish-gray ringed with brown. |
| Abdomen | Yellowish-white, segments ringed with brown. Genitalia: Types: Holotype as Tinea dorsistrigella by Clemens, 1859. #2. Locality: Unknown. In the United States National Museum, Smithsonian. Holotype as Tinea subjunctella male by Walker, 1863. Locality: From Mr. Carter’s Collection (North America). In British Museum Natural History, London, England. Holotype as Blabophanes dorsistrigella by Clemens. Locality: Unknown. In University of Massachusetts; Fernald’s collection. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tineoidea
- Family
- Tineidae (Clothes Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tineinae
- Genus
- Monopis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found on tree trunks. Common at lights.
Geographic Range
Eastern half of the U.S.; New Mexico and Nevada. Ontario and Quebec.
Seasonal Activity
June to August; earlier in southern states.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Debris, fungus, rotting vegetation.
Life History
Has been bred from larvae found in bird's nest by Busck.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Monopis dorsistrigella. 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 Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy | Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Fyn Kynd , lee_penner , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416
What is Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416?
Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416 (Monopis dorsistrigella) is a species in the family Tineidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416?
5 to 6 mm long. Wingspan 12 to 14 mm.
How do you identify Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | White to very pale yellow, long haired (scaled). Palpi yellowish, folded, underside dark brown. Brown around eyes. Antenna: Brown, smooth, thick; 2/3 as long as wing. |
| Thorax | Sides (patagia) dark brown, center white to very pale yellow. Underside grayish-yellow. Wings: Dark brown; somewhat tinged with red flecks; inner margin a broad white to very pale yellow band, widening at center and again near wing tip. Costa margin has large white to very pale yellow patch starting at center. White flecked patch at costal edge of wing tip. Fringe mixed whitish and brown, blending with wing colors. Hind wings light brownish-red. Fringe gray. |
| Legs | Whitish-gray ringed with brown. |
| Abdomen | Yellowish-white, segments ringed with brown. Genitalia: |
Where is Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found on tree trunks. Common at lights. |
| Range | Eastern half of the U.S.; New Mexico and Nevada. Ontario and Quebec. |
What does Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416 eat?
The diet of the Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416 includes Debris, fungus, rotting vegetation..
When is Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416 active?
Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416: seasonal activity - June to August; earlier in southern states..
What is the life cycle of a Skunkback Monopis - Hodges#0416?
Has been bred from larvae found in bird's nest by Busck.