Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640
Amphipyra glabella
This record describes Amphipyra glabella (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing varies from medium to dark gray (and shiny under certain light) with orbicular and reniform spots reduced to dark dots; PM line curved, with large convex sinus below reniform spot; ST line straight, composed of dark gray dots or streaks at the veins, and forming sharp boundary between gray forewing and contrasting light gray or pale yellowish terminal area hindwing light gray, darkening toward outer margin; antennae simple; sexes alike
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Amphipyrinae
- Tribe
- Amphipyrini
- Genus
- Amphipyra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
dry deciduous woods; wooded areas along river valleys; western coniferous forests (?); adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
New Brunswick to Florida, west to Utah, north to British Columbia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from July to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Balsam Poplar ( Populus balsamifera ) and, in the west, Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii )
Life History
one generation per year; probably overwinters as an egg
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: GLABELLA: from the Latin "glaber" (smooth, bald); perhaps a reference to the forewing, which may appear shiny and smooth under certain lighting conditions
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Amphipyra glabella. 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 Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640
What is Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640?
Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640 (Amphipyra glabella) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640?
wingspan 33-40 mm
How do you identify Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640?
Adult: forewing varies from medium to dark gray (and shiny under certain light) with orbicular and reniform spots reduced to dark dots; PM line curved, with large convex sinus below reniform spot; ST line straight, composed of dark gray dots or streaks at the veins, and forming sharp boundary between gray forewing and contrasting light gray or pale yellowish terminal area hindwing light gray, darkening toward outer margin; antennae simple; sexes alike
Where is Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | dry deciduous woods; wooded areas along river valleys; western coniferous forests (?); adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | New Brunswick to Florida, west to Utah, north to British Columbia |
What does Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640 eat?
The diet of the Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640 includes larvae feed on leaves of Balsam Poplar ( Populus balsamifera ) and, in the west, Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ).
When is Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640 active?
Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640: seasonal activity - adults fly from July to September.
What is the life cycle of a Smooth Amphipyra - Hodges#9640?
one generation per year; probably overwinters as an egg