Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157
Rhectocraspeda periusalis
This record describes Rhectocraspeda periusalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
See Microlepidoptera on Solanaceae species page
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Spilomelini
- Genus
- Rhectocraspeda
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern US, south to the Caribbean, Costa Rica to Brazil ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Amaranth, eggplant, Momordica charantia (bitter melon, bitter gourd, bitter squash, or balsam-pear), Strobilanthes (Weisman, 1986) Capsicum annuum L. (red pepper), Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco), Solanum hirtum Vahl., S. lycopersicum L. (tomato), S. melongena L. (eggplant), S. nigrum L. (black nightshade), S. torvum Sw. (turkey berry) ( Microlepidoptera on Solanaceae )
Life History
Larva; adult:
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Rhectocraspeda periusalis. 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 Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157
What is Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157?
Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157 (Rhectocraspeda periusalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157?
The length of the fore-wings is 8.2-9.7 mm for females and 9.5–10 mm for males.
How do you identify Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157?
See Microlepidoptera on Solanaceae species page
Where is Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157 found?
Range: eastern US, south to the Caribbean, Costa Rica to Brazil ( 3 )
What does Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157 eat?
The diet of the Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157 includes Amaranth, eggplant, Momordica charantia (bitter melon, bitter gourd, bitter squash, or balsam-pear), Strobilanthes (Weisman, 1986) Capsicum annuum L. (red pepper), Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco), Solanum hirtum Vahl., S. lycopersicum L. (tomato), S. melongena L. (eggplant), S. nigrum L. (black nightshade), S. torvum Sw. (turkey berry) ( Microlepidoptera on Solanaceae ).
What is the life cycle of a Rhectocraspeda periusalis - Hodges#5157?
Larva; adult: