Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1
Syssphinx montana
This record describes Syssphinx montana (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
♂ ♀
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
Geographic Range
Mexico and extreme southern United States. Lectotype male from St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host is Mimosa dysocarpa (velvetpod mimosa) (Mimosaceae). USDA plant profile
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Syssphinx montana. 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 Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1
How big is Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1?
Forewing length 28-39 mm. Males smaller.
How do you identify Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1?
♂ ♀
Where is Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1 found?
Range: Mexico and extreme southern United States. Lectotype male from St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.
What does Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1 eat?
The diet of the Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1 includes The larval host is Mimosa dysocarpa (velvetpod mimosa) (Mimosaceae). USDA plant profile.
When is Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1 active?
Syssphinx montana - Hodges#7713.1: seasonal activity - The main flight period is July to September..