Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788
Oxyelophila callista
This record describes Oxyelophila callista (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Original description is online as Argyractis callista in Forbes 1922, p. 102 . |
| Forewing | Forewing strongly falcate ; much of forewing white; PM line makes a deep graceful outward loop off of costa, then recurves to inner margin. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen has black transverse band on the base of the second segment which has a gap or thinning in the middle. This species is listed among Texas' Species of Greatest Conservation Need ( 6 ) |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acentropinae
- Tribe
- Argyractini
- Genus
- Oxyelophila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Larvae are aquatic. ( 3 ) ( 5 )
Geographic Range
Originally described from New Braunfels, Texas. Found near streams in the eastern and southern margins of the Texas Hill Country from Comal County west to Val Verde County (BugGuide, MPG, SCAN).
Seasonal Activity
Records span February to October, with probable emergences in Spring, mid-Summer, and Fall (BugGuide, MPG, BOLD, SCAN).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Oxyelophila callista. 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 Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788
What is Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788?
Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788 (Oxyelophila callista) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788?
Wingspan average 13 mm ( 3 ) , forewing about 6 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Original description is online as Argyractis callista in Forbes 1922, p. 102 . |
| Forewing | Forewing strongly falcate ; much of forewing white; PM line makes a deep graceful outward loop off of costa, then recurves to inner margin. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen has black transverse band on the base of the second segment which has a gap or thinning in the middle. |
Where is Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Larvae are aquatic. ( 3 ) ( 5 ) |
| Range | Originally described from New Braunfels, Texas. Found near streams in the eastern and southern margins of the Texas Hill Country from Comal County west to Val Verde County (BugGuide, MPG, SCAN). |
When is Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788 active?
Oxyelophila callista - Hodges#4788: seasonal activity - Records span February to October, with probable emergences in Spring, mid-Summer, and Fall (BugGuide, MPG, BOLD, SCAN)..