Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413
Mycterophora inexplicata
This record describes Mycterophora inexplicata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The forewing has a yellow costa and the veins interrupt the transverse lines. No discal spots. Sexes are similar with the males distinguished by the broadly pectinate antennae. The similar Mycterophora longipalpata does not have the yellow costa, and the lines are not interrupted by the veins. M. longipalpata has dark discal spots on both wings. Uncommon to rare. ( 5 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Boletobiinae
- Tribe
- Boletobiini
- Genus
- Mycterophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
All of southern Canada and south to Minnesota and New Hampshire. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from June through August. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host and immature stages are unknown. ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: mycter is the Greek word meaning nose.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mycterophora inexplicata. 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 Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Tony-2
Frequently Asked Questions About Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413
What is Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413?
Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413 (Mycterophora inexplicata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413?
Wingspan 22-24 mm.
How do you identify Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413?
The forewing has a yellow costa and the veins interrupt the transverse lines. No discal spots. Sexes are similar with the males distinguished by the broadly pectinate antennae. The similar Mycterophora longipalpata does not have the yellow costa, and the lines are not interrupted by the veins. M. longipalpata has dark discal spots on both wings.
Where is Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413 found?
Range: All of southern Canada and south to Minnesota and New Hampshire. ( 4 )
What does Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413 eat?
The diet of the Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413 includes Larval host and immature stages are unknown. ( 5 ).
When is Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413 active?
Mycterophora inexplicata - Hodges#8413: seasonal activity - Adults fly from June through August. ( 4 ).