Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188
Semixanthia franclemonti
This record describes Semixanthia franclemonti (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pantheinae
- Genus
- Semixanthia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry oak woodlands.
Geographic Range
Arizona, New Mexico; Mexico. Holotype ♂, Arizona, Cochise County, Pinery Canyon campground, 5-VIII-08, C. Schmidt & B. Walsh.
Seasonal Activity
Schmidt & Anweiler reported mid-July to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Quercus gambelii Nuttal (Gambel oak).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Schmidt & Anweiler stated "We name this species after the late John G. Franclemont who collected and reared this species and recognized that there were two distinct species in southern Arizona."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Semixanthia franclemonti. 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 Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188
How big is Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188?
Schmidt & Anweiler reported the forewing length. ♂ averages 18 mm. ♀ averages 19 mm.
Where is Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry oak woodlands. |
| Range | Arizona, New Mexico; Mexico. Holotype ♂, Arizona, Cochise County, Pinery Canyon campground, 5-VIII-08, C. Schmidt & B. Walsh. |
What does Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188 eat?
The diet of the Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188 includes Quercus gambelii Nuttal (Gambel oak)..
When is Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188 active?
Charadra franclemonti - Hodges#9188: seasonal activity - Schmidt & Anweiler reported mid-July to August..