Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636
Neofelderia rata
This record describes Neofelderia rata (species). Recorded family: Zygaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species is sympatric with N. constans, but with smaller size, less bright colour, broader black margin in the forewing and narrower black margin in the hindwing. (Shen-Horn Yen, pers. comm). - From Moths of SE Arizona - Note: This reference places both species in Neoalbertia . Allied to L. constans , Hy. Edw., but differing by the following characters. The disc of the wing in the present species is dull orange, with the costa black, widening a little towards the apex, and joining the rather broad posterior marginal band. Secondaries also broadly margined with black. Head, antennae, thorax, legs and abdomen, above and below, blue-black. Collar, patagia and sides of abdomen dull orange. Lower side of the wings same as the upper. In L. constans the costa of primaries is orange, as well as the basal 2/3 of the wing; the costa only of the secondaries is orange, and the abdomen is wholly blue-black. (Edwards, 1882)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Zygaenoidea
- Family
- Zygaenidae (Leaf Skeletonizer Moths)
- Subfamily
- Procridinae
- Genus
- Neofelderia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Arizona to northern Sonora, Mexico. Holotype: [USA] Cochise, Arizona. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from July and August.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Neofelderia rata. 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 Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by margarethe brummermann; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson , Steve Nanz , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636
What is Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636?
Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636 (Neofelderia rata) is a species in the family Zygaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636?
Wingspan about 18 mm (Hy. Edwards, 1882); 18-22 mm. MPG
How do you identify Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636?
This species is sympatric with N. constans, but with smaller size, less bright colour, broader black margin in the forewing and narrower black margin in the hindwing. (Shen-Horn Yen, pers. comm). - From Moths of SE Arizona - Note: This reference places both species in Neoalbertia . Allied to L. constans , Hy. Edw., but differing by the following characters. The disc of the wing in the present species is dull orange, with the costa black, widening a little towards the apex, and joining the rather broad posterior marginal band. Secondaries also broadly margined with black. Head, antennae, thorax, legs and abdomen, above and below, blue-black. Collar, patagia and sides of abdomen dull orange. Lower side of the wings same as the upper. In L. constans the costa of primaries is orange, as well as the basal 2/3 of the wing; the costa only of the secondaries is orange, and the abdomen is wholly blue-black. (Edwards, 1882)
Where is Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636 found?
Range: Arizona to northern Sonora, Mexico. Holotype: [USA] Cochise, Arizona. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
When is Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636 active?
Neofelderia rata - Hodges#4636: seasonal activity - Most records are from July and August..