Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024
Abagrotis nefascia
This record describes Abagrotis nefascia (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Lafontaine (1998) reported Abagrotis nefascia to be widely distributed in western North America, but there are relatively few records. ( 4 )
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
California to Colorado, north to Alberta.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be June to October. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Host plants include. Amelanchier spp. (serviceberry). Ribes aureum Pursh (golden currant).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Abagrotis nefascia. 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 Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024
What is Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024?
Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024 (Abagrotis nefascia) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024?
Forewing length 14-16 mm.
Where is Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024 found?
Range: California to Colorado, north to Alberta.
When is Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024 active?
Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be June to October. ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Abagrotis nefascia - Hodges#11024?
Host plants include. Amelanchier spp. (serviceberry). Ribes aureum Pursh (golden currant).