Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769
Neargyractis slossonalis
This record describes Neargyractis slossonalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The single species is distinguished from other members of the Acentropinae tribe by the dark brown forewing which has a distinctly paler AM band.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acentropinae
- Tribe
- Argyractini
- Genus
- Neargyractis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The larva live underwater around the roots of aquatic plants. ( 7 )
Geographic Range
Florida, Georgia to Mississippi. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) Habeck (1988) includes South Carolina. ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) Moth Photographers' Group and iNaturalist show Kentucky records and the latter site just documented the species in Tennessee.
Seasonal Activity
Heppner (2003) reported adults fly year round in Florida. ( 5 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Neargyractis slossonalis. 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 Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769
What is Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769?
Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769 (Neargyractis slossonalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769?
The wingspan averages 13 mm.
How do you identify Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769?
The single species is distinguished from other members of the Acentropinae tribe by the dark brown forewing which has a distinctly paler AM band.
Where is Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The larva live underwater around the roots of aquatic plants. ( 7 ) |
| Range | Florida, Georgia to Mississippi. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) Habeck (1988) includes South Carolina. ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) Moth Photographers' Group and iNaturalist show Kentucky records and the latter site just documented the species in Tennessee. |
When is Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769 active?
Dimorphic Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4769: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported adults fly year round in Florida. ( 5 ).