White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714
Syssphinx albolineata
This record describes Syssphinx albolineata (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
the younger caterpillars have the longer filaments: uncommon in the US (MPG & BG data), rare even in Mexico (Godman & Salvin, 1886)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ceratocampinae
- Genus
- Syssphinx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Thorn forest and ebony forest (BAMONA)
Geographic Range
Cochise Co., Arizona (as a stray?*); Cameron Co., Texas / Mexico - Map (MPG) *Not listed for AZ by Bruce Walsh on his Moths of SE Arizona page. BAMONA reports one SEAZ record from July 1986 and July is also the single month record reported by MPG.
Seasonal Activity
Two to three broods from April-November (BAMONA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Probably on Acacia, Mimosa , or Leucaena (Fabaceae) (BAMONA)
Life History
Caterpillars pupate and overwinter in chambers in the ground. Adults do not feed. (BAMONA)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Syssphinx albolineata. 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 White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714
What is White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714?
White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714 (Syssphinx albolineata) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714?
Wing Span: 5.6 - 8 cm (Females larger than males) (BAMONA)
How do you identify White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714?
the younger caterpillars have the longer filaments:
Where is White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Thorn forest and ebony forest (BAMONA) |
| Range | Cochise Co., Arizona (as a stray?*); Cameron Co., Texas / Mexico - Map (MPG) *Not listed for AZ by Bruce Walsh on his Moths of SE Arizona page. BAMONA reports one SEAZ record from July 1986 and July is also the single month record reported by MPG. |
What does White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714 eat?
The diet of the White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714 includes Probably on Acacia, Mimosa , or Leucaena (Fabaceae) (BAMONA).
When is White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714 active?
White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714: seasonal activity - Two to three broods from April-November (BAMONA).
What is the life cycle of a White-lined Royal Moth - Hodges#7714?
Caterpillars pupate and overwinter in chambers in the ground. Adults do not feed. (BAMONA)