Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197
Tegeticula maculata
This record describes Tegeticula maculata (species). Recorded family: Prodoxidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Segraves & Pellmyr (2001) illustrates the wing pattern variations. ( 3 )
Wikipedia reference for Tegeticula maculata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegeticula_maculata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Adeloidea
- Family
- Prodoxidae (Yucca Moths and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Prodoxinae
- Genus
- Tegeticula (Yucca moth)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Powell & Opler reported southern California to Baja, California. Moth Photographers Group displays Nevada record. Lectotype ♀ Caliente, Kern County, California.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be March to July. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Associated with the flowering of Hesperoyucca whipplei (Torr.) Baker (chaparral yucca). , ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tegeticula maculata. 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 Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197
What is Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197?
Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197 (Tegeticula maculata) is a species in the family Prodoxidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197?
Forewing length 6-10 mm.
How do you identify Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197?
Segraves & Pellmyr (2001) illustrates the wing pattern variations. ( 3 )
Where is Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197 found?
Range: Powell & Opler reported southern California to Baja, California. Moth Photographers Group displays Nevada record. Lectotype ♀ Caliente, Kern County, California.
What does Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197 eat?
The diet of the Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197 includes Associated with the flowering of Hesperoyucca whipplei (Torr.) Baker (chaparral yucca). , ,.
When is Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197 active?
Tegeticula maculata - Hodges#0197: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be March to July. ( 4 ).