One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068
Pyrausta unifascialis
This record describes Pyrausta unifascialis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown with scattered black scales and whitish S-shaped band across subterminal area; diffuse white discal spot or patch, and partial pale terminal band that fades before reaching apex; hindwing dark gray with large white triangular discal patch; snout, head, and collar with orangish scales. Powell & Opler stated Populations in the north tend to have darker individuals, while those in southern California are paler Packard original description is available online. 261 .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pyraustinae
- Tribe
- Pyraustini
- Genus
- Pyrausta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forest openings, clearings, fields were foodplant grows.
Geographic Range
California and Arizona to Yukon , east across Canada to Nova Scotia, south in the east to New Jersey and Illinois (absent from southcentral and southeastern states)
Seasonal Activity
Powell & Opler reported the flight period as April to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Polyphagous ...larvae have been reported feeding on plants in a number of genera/families: pussytoes ( Antennaria , Asteraceae), beans ( Phaseolus , Fabaceae), buckwheats ( Eriogonum , Polygonaceae), and ground-smoke ( Gayophytum , Onagraceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: UNIFASCIALIS : from the Latin "unis" (one) + "fascia" (band); refers to the whitish band across the forewing, and is the origin of the suggested common name One-banded Pyrausta
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pyrausta unifascialis. 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 One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Aaron Schusteff , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068
What is One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068?
One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068 (Pyrausta unifascialis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068?
Powell & Opler listed the forewing length 10-14 mm.
How do you identify One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068?
Adult: forewing brown with scattered black scales and whitish S-shaped band across subterminal area; diffuse white discal spot or patch, and partial pale terminal band that fades before reaching apex; hindwing dark gray with large white triangular discal patch; snout, head, and collar with orangish scales. Powell & Opler stated Populations in the north tend to have darker individuals, while those in southern California are paler Packard original description is available online. 261 .
Where is One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest openings, clearings, fields were foodplant grows. |
| Range | California and Arizona to Yukon , east across Canada to Nova Scotia, south in the east to New Jersey and Illinois (absent from southcentral and southeastern states) |
What does One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068 eat?
The diet of the One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068 includes Polyphagous ...larvae have been reported feeding on plants in a number of genera/families: pussytoes ( Antennaria , Asteraceae), beans ( Phaseolus , Fabaceae), buckwheats ( Eriogonum , Polygonaceae), and ground-smoke ( Gayophytum , Onagraceae).
When is One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068 active?
One-banded Pyrausta - Hodges#5068: seasonal activity - Powell & Opler reported the flight period as April to August..