Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146
Tarache delecta
This record describes Tarache delecta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white with brown and blue shading in basal and subterminal areas; these two areas sometimes merge; hindwing yellow with broad gray terminal band (sometimes incomplete) and yellow fringe
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acontiinae
- Tribe
- Acontiini
- Genus
- Tarache
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
on flowers in open fields during day
Geographic Range
New York to Florida, west to Texas
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to July and again in September (two broods)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Swamp Rosemallow ( Hibiscus grandiflorus ) and presumably a related plant in the northern part of its range where Swamp Rosemallow doesn't occur
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tarache delecta. 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 Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Chris Grinter , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146
What is Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146?
Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146 (Tarache delecta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146?
wingspan 28-32 mm
How do you identify Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146?
Adult: forewing white with brown and blue shading in basal and subterminal areas; these two areas sometimes merge; hindwing yellow with broad gray terminal band (sometimes incomplete) and yellow fringe
Where is Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | on flowers in open fields during day |
| Range | New York to Florida, west to Texas |
What does Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146 eat?
The diet of the Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146 includes larvae feed on Swamp Rosemallow ( Hibiscus grandiflorus ) and presumably a related plant in the northern part of its range where Swamp Rosemallow doesn't occur.
When is Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146 active?
Delightful Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9146: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to July and again in September (two broods).