Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779
Petrophila canadensis
This record describes Petrophila canadensis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing central area lacks triangular arrangement of 3 black spots, present in P. fulicalis ; hindwing with two transverse brownish bands (proximal band broad, and distal one thin) separated by white space; trianglular patch of fine black speckling extends at least halfway down from costa of hindwing (may be hidden by overlapping forewing). Fine dark line capping the hindwing eyespots is usually more extensive (nearly complete) over all spots, but this can be a difficult mark to judge since the line wiggles close to the eyespots in the middle.
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 live inside underwater retreats (sheets of spun silk) on top of rocks in streams and rivers; adults can be found on nearby riparian vegetation during the day
Geographic Range
southern Canada and northeastern United States: west to southeastern Manitoba and North Dakota, south to Tennessee and North Carolina (BG and iNaturalist data). Mapped MPG records in Alberta and Arizona almost certainly refer to other species in this group.
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to September (2 broods)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed preferentially on diatoms in the genera Navicula and Cymbella that become trapped in their silk sheets, and also scrape algae from rocks in streams and rivers
Life History
larvae are aquatic, developing in riffles of streams and rivers; two generations per year; overwinters as an adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Petrophila canadensis. 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 Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779
What is Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779?
Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779 (Petrophila canadensis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779?
wingspan 11-18 mm
How do you identify Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779?
Adult: forewing central area lacks triangular arrangement of 3 black spots, present in P. fulicalis ; hindwing with two transverse brownish bands (proximal band broad, and distal one thin) separated by white space; trianglular patch of fine black speckling extends at least halfway down from costa of hindwing (may be hidden by overlapping forewing). Fine dark line capping the hindwing eyespots is usually more extensive (nearly complete) over all spots, but this can be a difficult mark to judge since the line wiggles close to the eyespots in the middle.
Where is Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | larvae live inside underwater retreats (sheets of spun silk) on top of rocks in streams and rivers; adults can be found on nearby riparian vegetation during the day |
| Range | southern Canada and northeastern United States: west to southeastern Manitoba and North Dakota, south to Tennessee and North Carolina (BG and iNaturalist data). Mapped MPG records in Alberta and Arizona almost certainly refer to other species in this group. |
What does Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779 eat?
The diet of the Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779 includes larvae feed preferentially on diatoms in the genera Navicula and Cymbella that become trapped in their silk sheets, and also scrape algae from rocks in streams and rivers.
When is Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779 active?
Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to September (2 broods).
What is the life cycle of a Canadian Petrophila - Hodges#4779?
larvae are aquatic, developing in riffles of streams and rivers; two generations per year; overwinters as an adult