Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294
Ommatospila narcaeusalis
This record describes Ommatospila narcaeusalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This distinctive species is unlikely to be confused with others. Det. M. J. Heiman, 2008
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Hydririni
- Genus
- Ommatospila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Ok and LA to S. Amer. / W. Indies - Map (MPG & BG data) (+ 2 historical records from the Florida Keys )
Seasonal Activity
Aug-Jan in TX (MPG & BG data), (Two October 1955 records from Florida Keys )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host(s) is unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ommatospila narcaeusalis. 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 Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294
What is Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294?
Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294 (Ommatospila narcaeusalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294?
Forewing length about 7 mm.
How do you identify Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294?
This distinctive species is unlikely to be confused with others. Det. M. J. Heiman, 2008
Where is Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294 found?
Range: Ok and LA to S. Amer. / W. Indies - Map (MPG & BG data) (+ 2 historical records from the Florida Keys )
What does Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294 eat?
The diet of the Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294 includes Larval host(s) is unknown..
When is Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294 active?
Orange Silver-Spot - Hodges#5294: seasonal activity - Aug-Jan in TX (MPG & BG data), (Two October 1955 records from Florida Keys ).