Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828
Pseudoschinia elautalis
This record describes Pseudoschinia elautalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Grote (1871) original description as Eurycreon elautalis is online in the print references. Mann (1969) described the larva as white, with several narrow crimson transverse bands. ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Odontiinae
- Tribe
- Eurrhypini
- Genus
- Pseudoschinia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Powell & Opler western Texas to southern California.
Seasonal Activity
Powell & Opler reported a flight period of April through July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: McIntosh (2002) reports the hosts as California barrel cactus ( Ferocactus cylindraceus ) and candy barrel cactus ( Ferocactus wislizeni ). Mann (1969) lists numerous prickly pear, barrel, and cholla cactus species in Opuntia and Cylindropuntia . Larvae primarily consume flowers and fruits of prickly pears while in barrel cactus fleshy growth is often preferred. ( 3 )
Life History
Mann (1969) reported the mature larvae pupate on the ground in circular cocoons covered with earth. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pseudoschinia elautalis. 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 Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828
What is Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828?
Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828 (Pseudoschinia elautalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828?
Powell & Opler reported the forewing length 10-13 mm.
How do you identify Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828?
Grote (1871) original description as Eurycreon elautalis is online in the print references. Mann (1969) described the larva as white, with several narrow crimson transverse bands. ( 3 )
Where is Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828 found?
Range: Powell & Opler western Texas to southern California.
What does Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828 eat?
The diet of the Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828 includes McIntosh (2002) reports the hosts as California barrel cactus ( Ferocactus cylindraceus ) and candy barrel cactus ( Ferocactus wislizeni ). Mann (1969) lists numerous prickly pear, barrel, and cholla cactus species in Opuntia and Cylindropuntia . Larvae primarily consume flowers and fruits of prickly pears while in barrel cactus fleshy growth is often preferred. ( 3 ).
When is Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828 active?
Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828: seasonal activity - Powell & Opler reported a flight period of April through July..
What is the life cycle of a Pseudoschinia elautalis - Hodges#4828?
Mann (1969) reported the mature larvae pupate on the ground in circular cocoons covered with earth. ( 3 )