Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032
Abagrotis variata
This record describes Abagrotis variata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark brown or reddish-brown with pale grayish terminal band; reniform and orbicular spots faint or obscure; AM and PM lines pale gray, irregular, usually diffuse or patchy; hindwing dark gray with blackish veins and pale yellowish or white 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
Habitat
riparian habitats in western forests
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California ( 3 ) , east to New Mexico and Alberta. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
adults fly mostly in August and September, sometimes as early as June
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of flowering trees and shrubs, particularly willow
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Abagrotis variata. 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 variata - Hodges#11032 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032
What is Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032?
Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032 (Abagrotis variata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032?
Forewing length 16-19 mm.
How do you identify Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032?
Adult: forewing dark brown or reddish-brown with pale grayish terminal band; reniform and orbicular spots faint or obscure; AM and PM lines pale gray, irregular, usually diffuse or patchy; hindwing dark gray with blackish veins and pale yellowish or white fringe
Where is Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | riparian habitats in western forests |
| Range | British Columbia to California ( 3 ) , east to New Mexico and Alberta. ( 4 ) |
What does Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032 eat?
The diet of the Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032 includes larvae feed on leaves of flowering trees and shrubs, particularly willow.
When is Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032 active?
Abagrotis variata - Hodges#11032: seasonal activity - adults fly mostly in August and September, sometimes as early as June.