Armyworm Moth
Mythimna unipuncta
This record describes Mythimna unipuncta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Leucaniini
- Genus
- Mythimna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A migrant species.
Seasonal Activity
Recorded in Britain in most months, but most frequent between August and October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva, which is rarely recorded in Britain, feeds on grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is most commonly encountered in the south and south-west of England and Wales, and southern Ireland, and it is thought to be possibly resident in the far south-west. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mythimna unipuncta. 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 Armyworm Moth (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Armyworm Moth
How big is Armyworm Moth?
35mm to 47mm (1.37" to 1.85")
Where is Armyworm Moth found?
Habitat: A migrant species.
When is Armyworm Moth active?
Armyworm Moth: seasonal activity - Recorded in Britain in most months, but most frequent between August and October..
What is the life cycle of a Armyworm Moth?
The larva, which is rarely recorded in Britain, feeds on grasses.