Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881
Abrostola urentis
This record describes Abrostola urentis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing dark gray in median area, light gray in basal and subterminal areas (some individuals are brown rather than gray); thin black AM and PM lines preceded and followed respectively by reddish-brown scales; large reniform and merged orbicular/claviform spots pale, outlined in black; ST line thick, black, jagged; terminal line thin, black, fairly straight; the joined orbicular and claviform spots resemble a pair of spectacles (a distinctive feature, although not the origin of the word Spectacled in the common name - see Explanation of Names above). Hindwing light gray on basal half with dark discal crescent; dark gray on outer half; fringe white with several dark spots. Genitalia: Larva - body green with a series of white-bordered green chevrons dorsally, and a white lateral stripe. ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Plusiinae
- Tribe
- Abrostolini
- Genus
- Abrostola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland clearings and edges where nettles grow; adults nocturnal and attracted to light (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Geographic Range
Coast to coast in southern Canada, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado in the west, in the east south to North Carolina. Isolated population in southeast Texas. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is April to October. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). ( 3 )
Life History
One generation per year in the north; larvae pupate in cocoon attached to food plant, and emerge in a few weeks. larva; adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: SPECTACLED NETTLE: the larva feeds on nettle, and the adult has two raised tufts of scales on its thorax that resemble spectacles when viewed from the front - see photo on right side of this page ; (a European species in the same genus is called the The Spectacle for the same reason). The merged orbicular and claviform spots are also reminiscent of spectacles, which helps to reinforce the name.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Abrostola urentis. 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 Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Abigail Parker , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881
What is Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881?
Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881 (Abrostola urentis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881?
Forewing length 13-15 mm. Larva to about 25 mm.
How do you identify Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881?
Adult - forewing dark gray in median area, light gray in basal and subterminal areas (some individuals are brown rather than gray); thin black AM and PM lines preceded and followed respectively by reddish-brown scales; large reniform and merged orbicular/claviform spots pale, outlined in black; ST line thick, black, jagged; terminal line thin, black, fairly straight; the joined orbicular and claviform spots resemble a pair of spectacles (a distinctive feature, although not the origin of the word Spectacled in the common name - see Explanation of Names above). Hindwing light gray on basal half with dark discal crescent; dark gray on outer half; fringe white with several dark spots. Genitalia: Larva - body green with a series of white-bordered green chevrons dorsally, and a white lateral stripe. ( 3 )
Where is Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Woodland clearings and edges where nettles grow; adults nocturnal and attracted to light (E.H. Strickland Museum). |
| Range | Coast to coast in southern Canada, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado in the west, in the east south to North Carolina. Isolated population in southeast Texas. ( 4 ) |
What does Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881 eat?
The diet of the Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881 includes The larvae feed on Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). ( 3 ).
When is Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881 active?
Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881: seasonal activity - The main flight period is April to October. ( 5 ).
What is the life cycle of a Spectacled Nettle Moth - Hodges#8881?
One generation per year in the north; larvae pupate in cocoon attached to food plant, and emerge in a few weeks. larva; adult