Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778
Petrophila santafealis
This record describes Petrophila santafealis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Santa Fe Petrophila is the southeastern representative of the fulicalis -species group in the genus Petrophila . ( 3 ) It is extremely similar to Canadian Petrophila . It is also similar to true fulicalis (Feather-edged Petrophila) but the ranges apparently do not overlap. Other representatives of the species group include Hodges or Ozark Petrophila ( P. hodgesi ) in the Ozark ecoregion, Heppner's Petrophila ( P. heppneri ) in Texas, and Confusing Petrophila ( P. confusalis ) on the West Coast. Previously confused with Petrophila jaliscalis but the two are not similar and have widely disjunct ranges. ( 4 )
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.
Geographic Range
Described from central Florida; photographic records and specimens from panhandle and peninsular Florida. Very similar examples have been documented in Bibb Co., Alabama, but further research is needed to confirm the species' presence there.
Seasonal Activity
Adults have been recorded on wing year round.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are aquatic and feed on algae.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for the type location on Florida's Santa Fe River
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Petrophila santafealis. 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 Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Chuck Sexton , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778
What is Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778?
Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778 (Petrophila santafealis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778?
Forewing length: ♂ 5.2-7 mm; ♀ 6.5-9 mm.
Where is Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Larvae are aquatic. |
| Range | Described from central Florida; photographic records and specimens from panhandle and peninsular Florida. Very similar examples have been documented in Bibb Co., Alabama, but further research is needed to confirm the species' presence there. |
What does Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778 eat?
The diet of the Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778 includes Larvae are aquatic and feed on algae..
When is Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778 active?
Santa Fe Petrophila - Hodges#4778: seasonal activity - Adults have been recorded on wing year round..