Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765
Parapoynx diminutalis
This record describes Parapoynx diminutalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced species endemic to southeast Asia, Australia. Looks like it arrived on it's own at least by 1976, not a planned introduction. Note the larva has 7 instars (as opposed to a more normal 5). Bob P.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acentropinae
- Tribe
- Nymphulini
- Genus
- Parapoynx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Freshwater hydrilla sources.
Geographic Range
Texas to Florida and North Carolina.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hydrilla verticillata PDF
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Parapoynx diminutalis. 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 Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765
What is Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765?
Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765 (Parapoynx diminutalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765?
Wingspan 15-20 mm.
Where is Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Freshwater hydrilla sources. |
| Range | Texas to Florida and North Carolina. |
What does Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765 eat?
The diet of the Small Leafcutter Moth - Hodges#4765 includes Hydrilla verticillata PDF.