Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286
Pseudocharis minima
This record describes Pseudocharis minima (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286 (Pseudocharis minima) is a species in the family Erebidae, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Arctiini, superfamily Noctuoidea. This species belongs to the genus Pseudocharis. Size: wingspan 30 - 35mm. Found in pine rocklands, tropical hammocks, and the ecotone between hammocks and salt marshes. Active during year round.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Arctiinae
- Tribe
- Arctiini
- Genus
- Pseudocharis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
pine rocklands, tropical hammocks, and the ecotone between hammocks and salt marshes
Geographic Range
southern Florida in Miami-Dade County and the Keys . One record from extreme southern Texas on the MPG
Seasonal Activity
year round
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Crossopetalum
Life History
eggs laid in clusters underneath host plan leaves, hatch in four days, fast developing larvae, at about two weeks, spins a loose silk cocoon, covered in larval hairs, on stems and leaves of the host plant Life cycle images: eggs; first instar larvae; larva; cocoon; pupa; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pseudocharis minima. 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 Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Alan Chin Lee; Additional contributions by Ron M. , roar , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286
What is Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286?
Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286 (Pseudocharis minima) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286?
wingspan 30 - 35mm
Where is Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | pine rocklands, tropical hammocks, and the ecotone between hammocks and salt marshes |
| Range | southern Florida in Miami-Dade County and the Keys . One record from extreme southern Texas on the MPG |
What does Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286 eat?
The diet of the Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286 includes larvae feed on Crossopetalum.
When is Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286 active?
Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286: seasonal activity - year round.
What is the life cycle of a Lesser Wasp Moth - Hodges#8286?
eggs laid in clusters underneath host plan leaves, hatch in four days, fast developing larvae, at about two weeks, spins a loose silk cocoon, covered in larval hairs, on stems and leaves of the host plant Life cycle images: eggs; first instar larvae; larva; cocoon; pupa; adult