Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298
Xerociris wilsonii
This record describes Xerociris wilsonii (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
In Eudryas species if the hindwing was partially visible as in these photos it would appear to be yellow with a red border. X. wilsonii has a rather distinctive marking along the inner margin that also differs from all species of Eudryas , otherwise the forewings are fairly similar. -- Bob Patterson - locally common ( 4 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Agaristinae
- Genus
- Xerociris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
South-Central Oklahoma to San Luis Potosi, Mexico - Map ,(MPG) Possibly ranging west into Durango, Mexico, with an isolated population (or separate species) in southern Baja California ( iNaturalist ).
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly February to November (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Sorrelvine, Cissus trifoliata (Vitaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of Dr. Thomas B. Wilson
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xerociris wilsonii. 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 Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler , David Ferguson , Chuck Sexton , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298
What is Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298?
Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298 (Xerociris wilsonii) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298?
Wingspan is 35-38 mm.
How do you identify Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298?
In Eudryas species if the hindwing was partially visible as in these photos it would appear to be yellow with a red border. X. wilsonii has a rather distinctive marking along the inner margin that also differs from all species of Eudryas , otherwise the forewings are fairly similar. -- Bob Patterson -
Where is Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298 found?
Range: South-Central Oklahoma to San Luis Potosi, Mexico - Map ,(MPG) Possibly ranging west into Durango, Mexico, with an isolated population (or separate species) in southern Baja California ( iNaturalist ).
What does Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298 eat?
The diet of the Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298 includes Sorrelvine, Cissus trifoliata (Vitaceae).
When is Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298 active?
Wilson's Wood-nymph Moth - Hodges#9298: seasonal activity - Adults fly February to November (BG data).