Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545
Osminia ruficornis
This record describes Osminia ruficornis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References. Responds well to the sex attractant E,Z 2,13- octadecadien-1-ol alcohol. ( 4 )
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
Virginia south to Florida, west to Missouri; southern Arizona to southern Mexico. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Brown & Mizell list a possible host as milkpea ( Galactia , Fabaceae). ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name "ruficornis" is Latin for "reddish horn." Edwards describes the antennae as reddish-orange.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Osminia ruficornis. 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 ruficornis - Hodges#2545 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545
What is Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545?
Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545 (Osminia ruficornis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan: ♂ 12-14 mm, ♀ 14-16 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 4-7 mm. |
How do you identify Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545?
Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.
Where is Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545 found?
Range: Virginia south to Florida, west to Missouri; southern Arizona to southern Mexico. ( 3 )
What does Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545 eat?
The diet of the Osminia ruficornis - Hodges#2545 includes Brown & Mizell list a possible host as milkpea ( Galactia , Fabaceae). ( 4 ).