Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587
Palmia praecedens
This record describes Palmia praecedens (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - the lemon yellow abdomen is a key characteristic.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Synanthedonini
- Genus
- Palmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species flies in the Arizona mountains among the live oaks in early spring.
Geographic Range
Known only from southern Arizona and North Carolina. , , Type Locality: North Carolina.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet is Latin meaning "precede."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Palmia praecedens. 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 Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587
What is Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587?
Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587 (Palmia praecedens) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587?
Wingspan 30 mm.
How do you identify Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587?
Adult - the lemon yellow abdomen is a key characteristic.
Where is Palmia praecedens - Hodges#2587 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | This species flies in the Arizona mountains among the live oaks in early spring. |
| Range | Known only from southern Arizona and North Carolina. , , Type Locality: North Carolina. |