Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080
Udea profundalis
This record describes Udea profundalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species ( profundalis ) is easily distinguished from the Old World U. ferrugalis (Hübner) and from the eastern U. rubigalis (Packard) by the genitalia. U. profundalis averages appreciably larger, and tends to have the reniform more distinct above, and the postmedial line of the fore wing more distinct above and below and more strongly angled behind the costa. Individual specimens may, however, require dissection for definite identification. In general U. rubigalis is only recorded east of the Rockies and U. profundalis only west of the Rockies from BC to California.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Spilomelinae
- Tribe
- Udeini
- Genus
- Udea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Mainly west of the Rocky Mountains.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Udea profundalis. 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 Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , John Davis , Kyhl Austin , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080
What is Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080?
Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080 (Udea profundalis) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080?
Expanse: 19-25 mm.
How do you identify Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080?
This species ( profundalis ) is easily distinguished from the Old World U. ferrugalis (Hübner) and from the eastern U. rubigalis (Packard) by the genitalia. U. profundalis averages appreciably larger, and tends to have the reniform more distinct above, and the postmedial line of the fore wing more distinct above and below and more strongly angled behind the costa. Individual specimens may, however, require dissection for definite identification.
Where is Udea profundalis - Hodges#5080 found?
Range: Mainly west of the Rocky Mountains.