Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233
Proteoteras crescentana
This record describes Proteoteras crescentana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light to medium brown with conspicuous blackish crescent-shaped marking that begins midway along costa and terminates at apex; marking is very heavy from costa inward to middle of wing, then bends smoothly toward outer margin and becomes thinner as it runs in a fairly straight line to the apex; dark gray shading in upper basal area separated from crescent-shaped marking by pale oblique area along costa; area along inner margin often paler and with diffuse yellowish shading; short oblique streaks along distal half of costa [typical of many species of Tortricidae] are reduced or absent in P. crescentana ; hindwing grayish-brown with darker veins. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 4 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Proteoteras
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodlands, parks, suburban areas containing Boxelder; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Geographic Range
Ontario and northeastern states south to at least Maryland, west to Texas ( 5 ) and Colorado ( 6 ) , north to Alberta. Holotype from Plummer Island, Maryland. ( 3 ) Beadle & Leckie (2012) listed for the N.E. ( 7 ) Described material: Iowa ( Gillette ); west Manitoba; Kansas; Cincinnati, OH (Miss Braun , June 17th); Plummer's Island, MD (A. Busck , June); Elk Grove, IL (McElhose ( 8 ) , June 25th).
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is April to July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heinrich (1923) reported the larvae feed on Acer negundo (box elder). ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet crescentana for the "very strong, well defined black crescent" on the forewings.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Proteoteras crescentana. 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 Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman | Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233
What is Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233?
Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233 (Proteoteras crescentana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233?
Heinrich (1923) listed the wingspan 16-19 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233?
Adult: forewing light to medium brown with conspicuous blackish crescent-shaped marking that begins midway along costa and terminates at apex; marking is very heavy from costa inward to middle of wing, then bends smoothly toward outer margin and becomes thinner as it runs in a fairly straight line to the apex; dark gray shading in upper basal area separated from crescent-shaped marking by pale oblique area along costa; area along inner margin often paler and with diffuse yellowish shading; short oblique streaks along distal half of costa [typical of many species of Tortricidae] are reduced or absent in P. crescentana ; hindwing grayish-brown with darker veins. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 4 )
Where is Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Woodlands, parks, suburban areas containing Boxelder; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. |
| Range | Ontario and northeastern states south to at least Maryland, west to Texas ( 5 ) and Colorado ( 6 ) , north to Alberta. Holotype from Plummer Island, Maryland. ( 3 ) Beadle & Leckie (2012) listed for the N.E. ( 7 ) Described material: Iowa ( Gillette ); west Manitoba; Kansas; Cincinnati, OH (Miss Braun , June 17th); Plummer's Island, MD (A. Busck , June); Elk Grove, IL (McElhose ( 8 ) , June 25th). |
What does Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233 eat?
The diet of the Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233 includes Heinrich (1923) reported the larvae feed on Acer negundo (box elder). ( 3 ).
When is Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233 active?
Black-crescent Proteoteras - Hodges#3233: seasonal activity - The main flight period is April to July..