Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894
Urbanus doryssus
This record describes Urbanus doryssus (species). Recorded family: Hesperiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Tails short and broad. Uppersides of tails and most of the hindwing outer margins white; remainder of wing surfaces dark brown.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Hesperiidae (Skippers)
- Subfamily
- Eudaminae
- Genus
- Urbanus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Subtropical scrub.
Geographic Range
Strays to southmost, TX / Mex. to Argentina - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
Oct-Nov in southmost TX (MPG)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Urbanus doryssus (Swainson, 1831)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Urbanus doryssus. 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 Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894
What is Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894?
Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894 (Urbanus doryssus) is a species in the family Hesperiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894?
Wing Span: 1 3/16 - 1 7/8 inches (3 - 4.8 cm).
How do you identify Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894?
Tails short and broad. Uppersides of tails and most of the hindwing outer margins white; remainder of wing surfaces dark brown.
Where is Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Subtropical scrub. |
| Range | Strays to southmost, TX / Mex. to Argentina - Map (MPG) |
When is Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894 active?
Urbanus doryssus - Hodges#3894: seasonal activity - Oct-Nov in southmost TX (MPG).