Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1
Osminia donahueorum
This record describes Osminia donahueorum (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References. These tiny and uncommon clearwing moths sit on a small legumes ( Coursetia caribaea ) found under the live oaks on the side hills of Madera Canyon in early August (William H. Taft). ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Osminiini
- Genus
- Osminia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known only from southern Arizona. , Type Location: Bog Spring Camp Ground, Madera Canyon, Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
Seasonal Activity
Limited records of adults from August and October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults have been found in association with anil falso ( Coursetia caribaea , Fabaceae) but this plant has not been confirmed as the larval host.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for Kathy and Julian Donahue, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, in recognition of their discovery of the species.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Osminia donahueorum. 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 Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1
What is Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1?
Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1 (Osminia donahueorum) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1?
Forewing length 4-7 mm.
How do you identify Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1?
Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.
Where is Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1 found?
Range: Known only from southern Arizona. , Type Location: Bog Spring Camp Ground, Madera Canyon, Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
What does Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1 eat?
The diet of the Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1 includes Adults have been found in association with anil falso ( Coursetia caribaea , Fabaceae) but this plant has not been confirmed as the larval host..
When is Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1 active?
Osminia donahueorum - Hodges#2545.1: seasonal activity - Limited records of adults from August and October..