Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2
Rivula stepheni
This record describes Rivula stepheni (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewing color is ivory with darker tan margins and the reniform spot is represented as two black dots.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Rivulinae
- Genus
- Rivula
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mesic mixed pine and hardwood forests near streams.
Geographic Range
Originally thought to be limited to eastern North Carolina but is in Florida, Louisiana and other areas of the Southeast. ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly April to December.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on various grasses and sedges.
Life History
Three to four broods per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for Stephen A. Hall, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Rivula stepheni. 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 Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2
What is Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2?
Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2 (Rivula stepheni) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2?
Forewing length 8.2-10.2 mm.
How do you identify Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2?
Forewing color is ivory with darker tan margins and the reniform spot is represented as two black dots.
Where is Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mesic mixed pine and hardwood forests near streams. |
| Range | Originally thought to be limited to eastern North Carolina but is in Florida, Louisiana and other areas of the Southeast. |
What does Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2 eat?
The diet of the Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2 includes Larvae feed on various grasses and sedges..
When is Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2 active?
Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2: seasonal activity - Adults fly April to December..
What is the life cycle of a Rivula stepheni - Hodges#8404.2?
Three to four broods per year.