Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718
Myelopsis subtetricella
This record describes Myelopsis subtetricella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Original description: 19 - 22 mm. Fore wings elongate, oval, very narrow at base, strongly rounded on costa, dark gray, much suffused with brownish, glossy, first line broad, oblique, straight, gray, indistinct, edged outwardly by a shadowy blackish line, second line hardly perceptible, oblique, straight, very narrow, hardly paler than ground color. A dark spot, hardly distinct on disk. Hind wings transparent whitish, smoked on margin. Very near to tetricella . Neunzig (1990) gives the range for this species as no further west than southern Alberta, Nebraska and Colorado. He shows 2 adult images, both very lightly marked as in Tom Murray's MA specimens. The very heavily marked individuals on BG are from CA which doesn't fit the range of subtetricella; I suspect these CA species are not subtetricella. - comment by A.W. Thomas As of 3/23/2020, some barcoded specimens at BOLD appear to refer to Laetilia zamacrella . See comments here . The rest may represent a species an unknown species as they are all from locations west of the Rockies. - Steve Nanz
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Myelopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Seasonal Activity
Late April to late July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Have been reported feeding on acorns.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Myelopsis subtetricella. 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 Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Chuck Entz , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718
What is Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718?
Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718 (Myelopsis subtetricella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718?
WS 19-22mm TL 11-12mm
How do you identify Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718?
Original description: 19 - 22 mm. Fore wings elongate, oval, very narrow at base, strongly rounded on costa, dark gray, much suffused with brownish, glossy, first line broad, oblique, straight, gray, indistinct, edged outwardly by a shadowy blackish line, second line hardly perceptible, oblique, straight, very narrow, hardly paler than ground color. A dark spot, hardly distinct on disk. Hind wings transparent whitish, smoked on margin. Very near to tetricella .
What does Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718 eat?
The diet of the Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718 includes Have been reported feeding on acorns..
When is Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718 active?
Myelopsis subtetricella - Hodges#5718: seasonal activity - Late April to late July..