Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947
Nystalea eutalanta
This record describes Nystalea eutalanta (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Original description online: (142) Determined Don Lafontaine
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Nystaleinae
- Genus
- Nystalea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Florida. , , West Indies and possibly Mexico. Types: ♂ USA: Florida, Coco[a]nut Grove. ♀ USA: Florida, Paradise Key. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults have been recorded every month in Florida. ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The status of Nystalea eutalanta as a valid species has gone back and forth. Currently examples of N. ebalea in FL are treated as N. eutalanta . However, BOLD data tells a different story. FL specimens barcode as N. ebalea with the exception of one specimen which may or may not be true N. eutalanta . Per Lafontaine and Schmidt, pers. comm. 7/5/2017, more work needs to be done. I understand that the next MONA fascicle will continue the status quo but that could change. - Steve Nanz 7/5/2017
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nystalea eutalanta. 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 Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947
What is Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947?
Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947 (Nystalea eutalanta) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947?
Wingspan average: (Dyar) ♂ 48 mm. ♀ 52 mm.
How do you identify Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947?
Original description online: (142) Determined Don Lafontaine
Where is Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947 found?
Range: Florida. , , West Indies and possibly Mexico. Types: ♂ USA: Florida, Coco[a]nut Grove. ♀ USA: Florida, Paradise Key. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
When is Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947 active?
Nystalea eutalanta - Hodges#7947: seasonal activity - Adults have been recorded every month in Florida. ,.