Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812
Telethusia ovalis
This record describes Telethusia ovalis (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Original description is available online.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Telethusia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Ontario to Texas and central California. Also occurs in the northeastern states. , , Moth Photographers Group map
Seasonal Activity
Adults have two flights from May to July and then again September to October. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae have been reared on woolly sunflower, Eriophyllum , and pussy paws, Antennaria .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Telethusia ovalis. 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 Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812
What is Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812?
Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812 (Telethusia ovalis) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812?
Forewing length 10-12.5 mm. ,
How do you identify Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812?
Original description is available online.
Where is Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812 found?
Range: British Columbia and Ontario to Texas and central California. Also occurs in the northeastern states. , , Moth Photographers Group map
What does Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812 eat?
The diet of the Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812 includes Larvae have been reared on woolly sunflower, Eriophyllum , and pussy paws, Antennaria ..
When is Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812 active?
Telethusia ovalis - Hodges#5812: seasonal activity - Adults have two flights from May to July and then again September to October. ,.