Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466
Tathorhynchus exsiccata
This record describes Tathorhynchus exsiccata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light brownish-gray with diffuse dark shading beyond subterminal line; dark basal dash and dark strip between pale reniform and orbicular spots; reniform spot contains two dark dots; pale streaking along veins, and some dark speckling along costa; PM line faint or absent; fringe dark; hindwing pale gray or tan with large dark gray patch along upper two-thirds of outer margin; fringe pale except for some dark scales bordering the dark patch Apparently a taxonomically in-between species (and genus) whose classification has been difficult for taxonomists. In addition to the characteristics it shares with members of Catocalinae and Hypeninae, the adult's appearance also resembles some dart moths (Noctuinae) and some wainscots (Hadeninae).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Toxocampinae
- Genus
- Tathorhynchus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
open areas containing the larval foodplants; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
southern United States (Florida to California), north through the central states to Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) native to Africa, southern Asia, and Australia also introduced to Argentina and Dominica
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September in the North, April to November in the south
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on alfalfa, indigo ( Indigofera spp.), and Spanish Broom ( Spartium junceum )
Life History
probably multiple generations per year in the south
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tathorhynchus exsiccata. 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 Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466
What is Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466?
Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466 (Tathorhynchus exsiccata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466?
wingspan about 28-32 mm, based on two Internet photos
How do you identify Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466?
Adult: forewing light brownish-gray with diffuse dark shading beyond subterminal line; dark basal dash and dark strip between pale reniform and orbicular spots; reniform spot contains two dark dots; pale streaking along veins, and some dark speckling along costa; PM line faint or absent; fringe dark; hindwing pale gray or tan with large dark gray patch along upper two-thirds of outer margin; fringe pale except for some dark scales bordering the dark patch
Where is Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | open areas containing the larval foodplants; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | southern United States (Florida to California), north through the central states to Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) native to Africa, southern Asia, and Australia also introduced to Argentina and Dominica |
What does Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466 eat?
The diet of the Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466 includes larvae feed on alfalfa, indigo ( Indigofera spp.), and Spanish Broom ( Spartium junceum ).
When is Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466 active?
Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September in the North, April to November in the south.
What is the life cycle of a Alfalfa Looper - Hodges#8466?
probably multiple generations per year in the south