Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774
Petrophila bifascialis
This record describes Petrophila bifascialis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : The oblong black discal spot on the HW is the most conspicuous field mark when the HWs are visible. When the HWs are not visible, identification can be a little trickier. In Texas and Oklahoma, Petrophila cappsi is very similar but has an open dark loop on the HW in place of the solid black oval; Capps' Petrophila is less likely to show a small dark discal dot on the FW at the upper end of the orange tornal bar, but this is variable. As with most species in the genus Petrophila , females tend to have proportionally longer narrower wings than males. When perched, males tend to hold their wings open more often than females, revealing the diagnostic HW pattern.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acentropinae
- Tribe
- Argyractini
- Genus
- Petrophila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Larvae are aquatic, living in silken webs in fast-flowing streams. ( 4 ) Adults rest on nearby vegetation during the day, become active at night, and are attracted to light..
Geographic Range
Much of eastern North America: Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas (sparse); common but seemingly disjunct population in Oklahoma, Texas, and northeast Mexico (iNaturalist). The SCAN database shows records from Alabama and Mississippi but the species is apparently sparse to absent in most of the Southeast.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from late May to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on diatoms and algae scraped from rocks in fast-flowing streams.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: BIFASCIALIS: from "bi" (two) + "fascia" (band, bundle); refers to the bands across the median area of both wings, and is the origin of the suggested common name above
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Petrophila bifascialis. 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 Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Chuck Sexton , Randy Hardy , A. Hendrickson , Dave Webb , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774
What is Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774?
Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774 (Petrophila bifascialis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774?
wingspan 11-24 mm TL ≈ 7-12mm
How do you identify Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774?
Adult : The oblong black discal spot on the HW is the most conspicuous field mark when the HWs are visible. When the HWs are not visible, identification can be a little trickier. In Texas and Oklahoma, Petrophila cappsi is very similar but has an open dark loop on the HW in place of the solid black oval; Capps' Petrophila is less likely to show a small dark discal dot on the FW at the upper end of the orange tornal bar, but this is variable.
Where is Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Larvae are aquatic, living in silken webs in fast-flowing streams. ( 4 ) Adults rest on nearby vegetation during the day, become active at night, and are attracted to light.. |
| Range | Much of eastern North America: Nova Scotia to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas (sparse); common but seemingly disjunct population in Oklahoma, Texas, and northeast Mexico (iNaturalist). The SCAN database shows records from Alabama and Mississippi but the species is apparently sparse to absent in most of the Southeast. |
What does Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774 eat?
The diet of the Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774 includes Larvae feed on diatoms and algae scraped from rocks in fast-flowing streams..
When is Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774 active?
Two-banded Petrophila - Hodges#4774: seasonal activity - Adults fly from late May to September..