Apodemia mormo langei

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Riodinidae
Subfamily: Riodininae
Tribe: Emesidini
Genus: Apodemia
Species: mormo
Subspecies: langei

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apodemia mormo langei: /ˌæpoʊˈdiːmiə ˈmɔːrmoʊ ˈlæŋɡi/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Lange metal mark butterfly insect apodemia mormo langei by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Apodemia mormo langei 487230 by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Apodemia mormo langei 487229 by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Dorsal view of an endangered lange metalmark butterfly by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Lange's metalmark butterfly (28747200334) cropped by Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US. Used under a Public domain license.

Lange's metalmark butterfly (29292009991) by Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Apodemia mormo langei is a localized subspecies of the Mormon metalmark butterfly, characterized by its unique coloration and strict habitat requirements, primarily associated with Eriogonum nudum. Conservation efforts are critical for its survival due to its rare and endangered status, influenced by habitat restrictions and human activity.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan of 25–35 mm; males slightly smaller than females; distinct orange coloration toward the base of the hind wings; discal white spots may be replaced with orange; gray body with green eyes; black and white banded antennae.

Identification Tips

Look for the orange coloration on the hind wings and the distinctive discal spots; a presence of Eriogonum nudum in habitats may indicate A. m. langei.

Habitat

Dune habitats primarily in Contra Costa County, California; dry, arid regions with a high density of Eriogonum species; also found in sloping hillsides, gravelly deserts, and areas with soil disturbances.

Distribution

Primarily restricted to the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge in California; populations span western North America, from Sinola, Mexico to Southwestern Canada, with colonies in California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington; Canadian populations in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Diet

Larvae feed on various species of Eriogonum; adults mainly feed on the nectar of Eriogonum pauciflorum and occasionally rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosus).

Life Cycle

Univoltine; eggs laid in clusters; larvae emerge in winter, feed on host plants, and pupate in summer; adults emerge from July to September.

Reproduction

Mating occurs around three days into adult life; females may mate multiply; oviposition behavior varies between populations, with eggs laid in clusters or in rocky crevices.

Predators

Parasites include Trichogramma kaykai, a small parasitic wasp.

Conservation Status

Considered rare and endangered; Canadian populations listed as 'endangered' (British Columbia) and 'threatened' (Saskatchewan).

Ecosystem Role

Key player in the ecosystems where Eriogonum species thrive, acting as a pollinator during its adult phase and a part of the food web as larvae and adults.

Evolution

Evolutionary studies suggest ongoing investigations into subspecies and genetic diversity due to small isolated populations and distinct morphologies.