Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670
Toxonprucha pardalis
This record describes Toxonprucha pardalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing dark brownish-gray with several darker wavy lines crossing wing; PM line heaviest, black, with small pale patch at costa; subterminal area with orangish shading; conspicuous dark oval spot at apex also contains some orangish shading; hindwing similar to forewing in color and pattern. See Smith's original description in Print References.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Omopterini
- Genus
- Toxonprucha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
5000-8000'
Geographic Range
Arizona to Texas and into Mexico. Type location: Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona.
Seasonal Activity
Adults in June.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: pardalis : from the Greek "pardalotos" (spotted); presumably refers to the conspicuous dark spot at the apex of the forewing, and is the origin of the suggested common name Spotted Toxonprucha.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Toxonprucha pardalis. 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 Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670
What is Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670?
Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670 (Toxonprucha pardalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670?
Wingspan 25-29.
How do you identify Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670?
Adult - forewing dark brownish-gray with several darker wavy lines crossing wing; PM line heaviest, black, with small pale patch at costa; subterminal area with orangish shading; conspicuous dark oval spot at apex also contains some orangish shading; hindwing similar to forewing in color and pattern. See Smith's original description in Print References.
Where is Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | 5000-8000' |
| Range | Arizona to Texas and into Mexico. Type location: Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona. |
When is Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670 active?
Spotted Toxonprucha - Hodges#8670: seasonal activity - Adults in June..