Tineidae - undet. sp.
Order
Lepidoptera
Family Tineidae Undet. genus and sp. Size: 11 mm Group Guild Status Unknown Unknown Rare This species is represented by a single larva that was found in the bottom of the Jackrabbit Shaft on December 18, 2010. There are several possible scenarios for the presence of this animal in the cave. It could have accessed and fallen into the shaft by accident (considered unlikely since the larva is not highly mobile). It could have been prey dropped by some predator (also unlikely since predators do not often abandon or lose their prey, and the larva was freely crawling along the bottom of the shaft), or it may be connected with the ecology of the cave in some way (possible). Without additional evidence or specimens, we cannot determine if the species has a place in the ecology of the cave, or is an accidental occurrence. As noted in the following account there are records from the initial study of lepidoptera occurring in the cave. We have observed adults of two moth species in the cave, but they are both apparently uncommon to rare in the cave. We do not have samples of either of the moth species we have encountered in the cave that are adequate for identification. |
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