Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1
Pima occidentalis
This record describes Pima occidentalis (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Pima
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Widespread in the western United States and western Canada. ,
Seasonal Activity
Heinrich examined specimens collected from March to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include: Astragalus L. (milkvetch). Lathyrus L. (pea).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pima occidentalis. 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 Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1
What is Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1?
Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1 (Pima occidentalis) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1?
Wingspan 24-31 mm.
How do you identify Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1?
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )
Where is Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1 found?
Range: Widespread in the western United States and western Canada. ,
What does Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1 eat?
The diet of the Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1 includes Larval hosts include: Astragalus L. (milkvetch). Lathyrus L. (pea)..
When is Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1 active?
Pima occidentalis - Hodges#5747.1: seasonal activity - Heinrich examined specimens collected from March to August..