Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441
Thaumatopsis fernaldella
This record describes Thaumatopsis fernaldella (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441 (Thaumatopsis fernaldella) is a species in the family Crambidae, commonly known as crambid snout moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Crambinae, tribe Crambini, superfamily Pyraloidea. This species belongs to the genus Thaumatopsis. As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: The wingspan averages 20-31 mm. Forbes listed a wingspan of 20 mm.. Active during The main flight period appears to be April to September. ,.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Crambini
- Genus
- Thaumatopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Kearfott, 1905 described the species from sixteen specimens from the following locations: Anglesea [North Wildwood], NJ; Key West, FL; Las Cruces, NM; "Walter's St."[?], CA; Yellowstone Park, WY; Fort Collins, CO; "South Utah". Kearfott noted that the single specimen he examined from Key West differed from the others and was "included with a question mark" in his description. Barnes and McDunnough, 1913 described Thaumatopsis floridella from South Florida and noted, "The specimen from Key West doubtfully referred to fernaldella by Kearfott… is probably this species." Forbes, 1920 listed Thaumatopsis pexella [/ us ], gibsonella [listed by Hodges, 1983 as a subspecies of T. pexellus , T. p. gibsonella ], edonis , and daeckella [= solutellus ] as occurring in the vicinity of New York, with fernaldella "A western species reported doubtfully from Anglesea, New Jersey, and from Florida."
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be April to September. ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Thaumatopsis fernaldella. 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 Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441
What is Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441?
Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441 (Thaumatopsis fernaldella) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441?
The wingspan averages 20-31 mm. Forbes (1920) listed a wingspan of 20 mm.
Where is Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441 found?
Range: Kearfott, 1905 described the species from sixteen specimens from the following locations: Anglesea [North Wildwood], NJ; Key West, FL; Las Cruces, NM; Walter's St.[?], CA; Yellowstone Park, WY; Fort Collins, CO; South Utah. Kearfott noted that the single specimen he examined from Key West differed from the others and was included with a question mark in his description. Barnes and McDunnough, 1913 described Thaumatopsis floridella from South Florida and noted, The specimen from Key West doubtfully referred to fernaldella by Kearfott… is probably this species. Forbes, 1920 listed Thaumatopsis pexella [/ us ], gibsonella [listed by Hodges, 1983 as a subspecies of T. pexellus , T. p. gibsonella ], edonis , and daeckella [= solutellus ] as occurring in the vicinity of New York, with fernaldella A western species reported doubtfully from Anglesea, New Jersey, and from Florida.
When is Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441 active?
Fernald's Grass-veneer - Hodges#5441: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to September. ,.