LepidopteraPyralidae – Pyralid Moths

Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800

Sciota tarmitalis

This record describes Sciota tarmitalis (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 - Sciota tarmitalis
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Heinrich revised description in PDF.

Identification notes

Heinrich revised description in PDF.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Pyraloidea
Family
Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
Subfamily
Phycitinae
Tribe
Phycitini
Genus
Sciota

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Lafontaine & Wood (1997) reported the range to include Alaska to Ontario, south to New Mexico. ( 4 ) California. ( 5 )

Seasonal Activity

The main flight period appears to be May to August.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Lafontaine & Wood (1997) reported larvae on Salicaceae. ( 4 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sciota tarmitalis. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 (5)

Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Frequently Asked Questions About Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800

What is Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800?

Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 (Sciota tarmitalis) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800?

Heinrich listed the wingspan as 23-27 mm.

How do you identify Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800?

Heinrich revised description in PDF.

Where is Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 found?

Range: Lafontaine & Wood (1997) reported the range to include Alaska to Ontario, south to New Mexico. ( 4 ) California. ( 5 )

What does Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 eat?

The diet of the Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 includes Lafontaine & Wood (1997) reported larvae on Salicaceae. ( 4 ).

When is Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800 active?

Sciota tarmitalis - Hodges#5800: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be May to August..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.