Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908
Thessia jalapus
This record describes Thessia jalapus (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Nearly identical to the more common and widespread Coyote Cloudywing (Achalarus toxeus) but with a pronounced tail or lobe on the inside corner of each hindwing
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Eudaminae
- Genus
- Thessia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forest
Geographic Range
Mexico south through Columbia, with strays occurring north into southeastern Arizona and south Texas
Seasonal Activity
Year-round in Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults are nectar feeders; larval host is unknown
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Thessia jalapus. 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 Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908
What is Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908?
Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908 (Thessia jalapus) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908?
Nearly identical to the more common and widespread Coyote Cloudywing (Achalarus toxeus) but with a pronounced tail or lobe on the inside corner of each hindwing
Where is Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest |
| Range | Mexico south through Columbia, with strays occurring north into southeastern Arizona and south Texas |
What does Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908 eat?
The diet of the Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908 includes Adults are nectar feeders; larval host is unknown.
When is Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908 active?
Jalapus Cloudywing - Hodges#3908: seasonal activity - Year-round in Mexico.