Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393
Raphiptera argillaceellus
This record describes Raphiptera argillaceellus (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing outer margin falcate near apex, resulting in sharply-pointed tip; forewing light brown to brownish-gray with slender white stripe, tapered at both ends, extending from base to postmedial area but not reaching ST line; white stripe has blackish tooth along lower edge about two-thirds from base; subterminal line black, V-shaped; black apical dash bordered below by triangular white patch; dark oblique line from costa to white strip represents upper portion of PM line; hindwing light gray one of the few species in the tribe Crambini whose forewing has a pronounced falcate outer margin
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Crambini
- Genus
- Raphiptera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Quebec to Florida , west to Texas , north to Alberta
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae probably feed on grasses
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Raphiptera argillaceellus. 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 Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393
What is Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393?
Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393 (Raphiptera argillaceellus) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393?
Wingspan about 15 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393?
Adult: forewing outer margin falcate near apex, resulting in sharply-pointed tip; forewing light brown to brownish-gray with slender white stripe, tapered at both ends, extending from base to postmedial area but not reaching ST line; white stripe has blackish tooth along lower edge about two-thirds from base; subterminal line black, V-shaped; black apical dash bordered below by triangular white patch; dark oblique line from costa to white strip represents upper portion of PM line; hindwing light gray
Where is Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393 found?
Range: Quebec to Florida , west to Texas , north to Alberta
What does Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393 eat?
The diet of the Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393 includes larvae probably feed on grasses.
When is Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393 active?
Diminutive Grass-veneer - Hodges#5393: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.