Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625
Omphalocera cariosa
This record describes Omphalocera cariosa (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Omphalocera cariosa has dimorphic larvae. Adults look very much the same but the caterpillars that feed on Agarita in the spring look a little different than those that feed on Snailseed in the fall. Wagner thinks there are probably two different species but nobody has studied it. (V. Bugh, pers. comm. 2013 to MAQ)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Galleriinae
- Tribe
- Megarthridiini
- Genus
- Omphalocera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US / Mex. - Map
Seasonal Activity
Heppner reported March to October. The adults are most common in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: In Illinois, it feeds on common moonseed, Menispermum canadense , which is in the same family as Cocculus carolinus of Louisiana. (Menispermaceae) (Terry Harrison, 2 August, 2012) Heppner listed Annona muricata L. (soursop).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Omphalocera cariosa. 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 Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625
What is Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625?
Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625 (Omphalocera cariosa) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625 found?
Range: e. US / Mex. - Map
What does Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625 eat?
The diet of the Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625 includes In Illinois, it feeds on common moonseed, Menispermum canadense , which is in the same family as Cocculus carolinus of Louisiana. (Menispermaceae) (Terry Harrison, 2 August, 2012) Heppner listed Annona muricata L. (soursop)..
When is Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625 active?
Omphalocera cariosa - Hodges#5625: seasonal activity - Heppner reported March to October. The adults are most common in June and July..