Cabbage Looper Moth
Trichoplusia ni
This record describes Trichoplusia ni (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
- Plusiinae
- Tribe
- Argyrogrammatini
- Genus
- Trichoplusia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Nocturnal in habits, most instances are of moths attracted to light.
Seasonal Activity
Usually encountered between June and October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Abroad, the larvae feed mainly on marigold and sea-rocket. Its breeding range encompasses southern Europe and North Africa, though occasional larvae have been found in Britain.
Additional species information
Recorded status
An immigrant moth, which occurs in small numbers most years, not usually more than about 50 per year. 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 Trichoplusia ni. 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 Cabbage Looper Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabbage Looper Moth
How big is Cabbage Looper Moth?
15mm to 32mm (0.59" to 1.25")
Where is Cabbage Looper Moth found?
Habitat: Nocturnal in habits, most instances are of moths attracted to light.
When is Cabbage Looper Moth active?
Cabbage Looper Moth: seasonal activity - Usually encountered between June and October..
What is the life cycle of a Cabbage Looper Moth?
Abroad, the larvae feed mainly on marigold and sea-rocket. Its breeding range encompasses southern Europe and North Africa, though occasional larvae have been found in Britain.