Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619
Pococera baptisiella
This record describes Pococera baptisiella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The Fernald (1887) and Hulst (1889) descriptions are available in the print references below.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Epipaschiinae
- Genus
- Pococera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) includes New York to Florida, Illinois to Texas. ( 3 ) Alberta, Canada records. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from May to September. Heppner reports March to May, and July for Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) reports Baptisia sp. (wild indigo) Leguminosae. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the host plant Baptisia .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pococera baptisiella. 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 Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619
What is Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619?
Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619 (Pococera baptisiella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619?
Fernald (1887) listed a wingspan of 22 mm.
How do you identify Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619?
The Fernald (1887) and Hulst (1889) descriptions are available in the print references below.
Where is Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) includes New York to Florida, Illinois to Texas. ( 3 ) Alberta, Canada records. ( 4 )
What does Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619 eat?
The diet of the Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619 includes Heppner (2003) reports Baptisia sp. (wild indigo) Leguminosae. ( 3 ).
When is Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619 active?
Pococera baptisiella - Hodges#5619: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from May to September. Heppner reports March to May, and July for Florida..