Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124
Spragueia perstructana
This record describes Spragueia perstructana (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124 (Spragueia perstructana) is a species in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Acontiinae, tribe Acontiini, superfamily Noctuoidea. This species belongs to the genus Spragueia. As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: Forewing length about 7 mm.. Active during Adults are most common from May to August. Heppner reported adults in March, June, September to November for Florida..
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acontiinae
- Tribe
- Acontiini
- Genus
- Spragueia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) listed the range as Florida to Texas, West Indies; Mexico to South America. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from May to August. ( 5 ) Heppner (2003) reported adults in March, June, September to November for Florida. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: HOST , reports the larval host plant as Lantana camara (Verbenaceae). Heppner reported the larval host plant as unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spragueia perstructana. 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 Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124
What is Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124?
Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124 (Spragueia perstructana) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124?
Forewing length about 7 mm.
Where is Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) listed the range as Florida to Texas, West Indies; Mexico to South America. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
What does Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124 eat?
The diet of the Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124 includes HOST , reports the larval host plant as Lantana camara (Verbenaceae). Heppner reported the larval host plant as unknown..
When is Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124 active?
Spragueia perstructana - Hodges#9124: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from May to August. ( 5 ) Heppner (2003) reported adults in March, June, September to November for Florida. ( 4 ).