Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936
Saucrobotys futilalis
This record describes Saucrobotys futilalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pyraustinae
- Tribe
- Pyraustini
- Genus
- Saucrobotys
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
from Northeast to British Columbia and south to Texas and California
Seasonal Activity
May-July, August (Maryland)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Apocynum
Life History
Caterpillar feeds on dogbane, Apocynum species, including Apocynum cannabinum (Indian Hemp), and on milkweeds, Asclepias species, including butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa (Maryland Moths). Larvae make conspicuous silk nests on their host plant. Life Cycle 1. early instar caterpillars. 2. caterpillars and webbing. 3. last instar caterpillar. 4. prepupa inside cocoon. 5. prepupa. 6. pupa. 7, 8. adults PDF of life cycle by MJ Hatfield
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Species name futilalis appears to be from Latin futilis , brittle, vain, worthless (Latin dictionary) plus -alis Latin "pertaining to" .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Saucrobotys futilalis. 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 Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz , Beatriz Moisset , Wisconsin Oecanthinancy , JohnMaxwell22 , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Fyn Kynd , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936
How big is Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936?
forewing length 14 - 16 mm
Where is Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936 found?
Range: from Northeast to British Columbia and south to Texas and California
What does Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936 eat?
The diet of the Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936 includes Apocynum.
When is Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936 active?
Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936: seasonal activity - May-July, August (Maryland).
What is the life cycle of a Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936?
Caterpillar feeds on dogbane, Apocynum species, including Apocynum cannabinum (Indian Hemp), and on milkweeds, Asclepias species, including butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa (Maryland Moths). Larvae make conspicuous silk nests on their host plant. Life Cycle 1. early instar caterpillars. 2. caterpillars and webbing. 3. last instar caterpillar. 4. prepupa inside cocoon. 5. prepupa. 6. pupa. 7, 8. adults PDF of life cycle by MJ Hatfield