Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045
Abagrotis anchocelioides
This record describes Abagrotis anchocelioides (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown with contrasting tan terminal area; orbicular and reniform spots same color as forewing but outlined with pale scales; orbicular spot round, not oval; small patch of black scales where subterminal line meets costa; hindwing dark brownish-gray with contrasting pale fringe
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Abagrotis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southern Quebec to North Carolina, west to southern Manitoba, North Dakota, and Missouri
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: "larvae may eat fruit buds [of blueberry]" ( State of Connecticut ) The above source also states that larvae develop in weeds under blueberry bushes, so it is not clear whether the larvae actually feed on blueberry. This dlia.org source says larval hosts are unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Abagrotis anchocelioides. 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 Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045
What is Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045?
Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045 (Abagrotis anchocelioides) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045?
wingspan about 32-38 mm
How do you identify Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045?
Adult: forewing brown with contrasting tan terminal area; orbicular and reniform spots same color as forewing but outlined with pale scales; orbicular spot round, not oval; small patch of black scales where subterminal line meets costa; hindwing dark brownish-gray with contrasting pale fringe
Where is Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045 found?
Range: southern Quebec to North Carolina, west to southern Manitoba, North Dakota, and Missouri
What does Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045 eat?
The diet of the Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045 includes larvae may eat fruit buds [of blueberry] ( State of Connecticut ) The above source also states that larvae develop in weeds under blueberry bushes, so it is not clear whether the larvae actually feed on blueberry. This dlia.org source says larval hosts are unknown..
When is Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045 active?
Blueberry Budworm Moth - Hodges#11045: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September.