Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710
Syssphinx heiligbrodti
This record describes Syssphinx heiligbrodti (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult moth is paler than the very similar S. hubbardi . Most easily separated by distribution, with S. heiligbrodti found in south and central Texas, and S. hubbardi from west Texas through Arizona. The two species do overlap in the Del Rio vicinity. Caterpillar has a larger number of silvery plates on its back than larvae of most other members of this genus, but probably cannot be separated from S. hubbardi in areas where the two species overlap.
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
Woodlands and brushlands.
Geographic Range
Southern Texas from Del Rio to Bastrop and southward. ,
Seasonal Activity
The flight period is March to November. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Primarily Honey Mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ), though may take other species of mesquite, acacia, and related leguminous trees
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The species is named in honor of Mr. L. Heiligbrodt who collected the holotype in Bastrop County, texas.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Syssphinx heiligbrodti. 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 Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by cotinis , Joshua Stuart Rose , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710
What is Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710?
Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710 (Syssphinx heiligbrodti) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710?
Harvey (1877) reported the wingspan. ♂ 54 mm. ♀ 76 mm.
How do you identify Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710?
Adult moth is paler than the very similar S. hubbardi . Most easily separated by distribution, with S. heiligbrodti found in south and central Texas, and S. hubbardi from west Texas through Arizona. The two species do overlap in the Del Rio vicinity. Caterpillar has a larger number of silvery plates on its back than larvae of most other members of this genus, but probably cannot be separated from S. hubbardi in areas where the two species overlap.
Where is Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Woodlands and brushlands. |
| Range | Southern Texas from Del Rio to Bastrop and southward. |
What does Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710 eat?
The diet of the Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710 includes Primarily Honey Mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ), though may take other species of mesquite, acacia, and related leguminous trees.
When is Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710 active?
Heiligbrodt's Mesquite Moth - Hodges#7710: seasonal activity - The flight period is March to November. ,.