LepidopteraErebidae

Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419

Prosoparia perfuscaria

This record describes Prosoparia perfuscaria (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419 - Prosoparia perfuscaria
Contributed by Chris Grinter; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Erebidae
Subfamily
Boletobiinae
Tribe
Boletobiini
Genus
Prosoparia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southeastern Arizona and western and central Texas. Not found in New Mexico.

Seasonal Activity

Adults fly from early May to mid-July and again between mid-August and mid-October.

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Perfuscaria from Latin perhaps meaning "dusky-brown throughout."

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Prosoparia perfuscaria. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419 (2)

Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419 - photo 1
Contributed by Chris Grinter; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419 - photo 2
Contributed by Chris Grinter; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Chris Grinter; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419

How big is Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419?

Forewing length 10-12 mm.

Where is Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419 found?

Range: Southeastern Arizona and western and central Texas. Not found in New Mexico.

When is Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419 active?

Prosoparia perfuscaria - Hodges#8419: seasonal activity - Adults fly from early May to mid-July and again between mid-August and mid-October..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Chris Grinter; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.