Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053
Ufeus faunus
This record describes Ufeus faunus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Lafontaine & Walsh revised description in PDF. Crumb described larva.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Ufeus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southwestern California to southern New Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are cottonwood and willow. ( 3 )
Life History
The larvae and adults of Ufeus are known to hide by day under bark at the base of large trees. The larvae are often found up-to 20 meters or more from their food source in the tree canopy. ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ufeus faunus. 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 Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053
What is Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053?
Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053 (Ufeus faunus) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053?
Forewing length: ♂ 15–17 mm, ♀ 17–19 mm. Smallest moth in this genus. Larva to about 30 mm.
How do you identify Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053?
Lafontaine & Walsh revised description in PDF. Crumb described larva.
Where is Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053 found?
Range: Southwestern California to southern New Mexico.
What does Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053 eat?
The diet of the Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053 includes Larval hosts are cottonwood and willow. ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Ufeus faunus - Hodges#11053?
The larvae and adults of Ufeus are known to hide by day under bark at the base of large trees. The larvae are often found up-to 20 meters or more from their food source in the tree canopy. ( 4 )