Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818
Amolita fessa
This record describes Amolita fessa (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewing whitish to pale brown and sprinkled with brown specks; the reniform and orbicular spots are each represented by a small black dot; a dark brown line runs from the wing base past the dots, then curves gently outward until reaching the apex; another shorter line begins midway along the inner edge and follows the longer line almost to the outer edge of the wing; the terminal line is composed of several black dots hindwing white except for a terminal line of several black dots.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Omopterini
- Genus
- Amolita
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern North America. Bug Guide - range map with monthly record of photos submitted to the guide. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from March to September; year round in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on grasses.
Life History
Eggs
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Amolita fessa. 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 Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Jeff Hollenbeck , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818
What is Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818?
Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818 (Amolita fessa) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818?
Wingspan about 22 mm.
How do you identify Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818?
Forewing whitish to pale brown and sprinkled with brown specks; the reniform and orbicular spots are each represented by a small black dot; a dark brown line runs from the wing base past the dots, then curves gently outward until reaching the apex; another shorter line begins midway along the inner edge and follows the longer line almost to the outer edge of the wing; the terminal line is composed of several black dots hindwing white except for a terminal line of several black dots.
Where is Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818 found?
Range: Eastern North America. Bug Guide - range map with monthly record of photos submitted to the guide. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
What does Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818 eat?
The diet of the Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818 includes Larvae feed on grasses..
When is Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818 active?
Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818: seasonal activity - Most records are from March to September; year round in Florida..
What is the life cycle of a Feeble Grass Moth - Hodges#9818?
Eggs