Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878
Proserpinus vega
This record describes Proserpinus vega (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dark green basal patch at base of forewings distinguishes this species from similar sympatric species Proserpinus terlooii. Not commonly reported.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Proserpinus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas (south into Mexico).
Seasonal Activity
Adults can be found in August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae likely feed on Onagraceae: including Epilobium, Gaura, and Oenothera.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Proserpinus vega. 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 Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ryan St Laurent
Frequently Asked Questions About Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878
What is Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878?
Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878 (Proserpinus vega) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878?
Wingspan 6.1-6.7 cm
How do you identify Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878?
Dark green basal patch at base of forewings distinguishes this species from similar sympatric species Proserpinus terlooii.
Where is Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878 found?
Range: Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas (south into Mexico).
What does Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878 eat?
The diet of the Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878 includes Larvae likely feed on Onagraceae: including Epilobium, Gaura, and Oenothera..
When is Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878 active?
Proserpinus vega - Hodges#7878: seasonal activity - Adults can be found in August.