Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161
Oidaematophorus occidentalis
This record describes Oidaematophorus occidentalis (species). Recorded family: Pterophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, Moths of Western North America, Pl. 12.32m; p.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pterophoroidea
- Family
- Pterophoridae (Plume Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pterophorinae
- Tribe
- Oidaematophorini
- Genus
- Oidaematophorus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Seasonal Activity
Adults usually fly June to September.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Oidaematophorus occidentalis. 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 Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by treichard
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161
What is Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161?
Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161 (Oidaematophorus occidentalis) is a species in the family Pterophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161?
Fore wing length 12-13 mm.
When is Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161 active?
Western Plume Moth - Hodges#6161: seasonal activity - Adults usually fly June to September..