Triprocris cyanea - Hodges#4619
Triprocris cyanea
This record describes Triprocris cyanea (species). Recorded family: Zygaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see original description in Print References.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Zygaenoidea
- Family
- Zygaenidae (Leaf Skeletonizer Moths)
- Subfamily
- Procridinae
- Genus
- Triprocris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas to Arizona. Holotype collected in Babaquivera Mountains, Pima County, Arizona, United States.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Cyane , a nymph from mythology, whose name means "dark blue," for the "deep metallic blue or green on both sides."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Triprocris cyanea. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Triprocris cyanea - Hodges#4619
What is Triprocris cyanea - Hodges#4619?
Triprocris cyanea - Hodges#4619 (Triprocris cyanea) is a species in the family Zygaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Triprocris cyanea - Hodges#4619?
Wingspan 23-25 mm.
How do you identify Triprocris cyanea - Hodges#4619?
Adult - see original description in Print References.
Where is Triprocris cyanea - Hodges#4619 found?
Range: Texas to Arizona. Holotype collected in Babaquivera Mountains, Pima County, Arizona, United States.