Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570
Andropolia aedon
This record describes Andropolia aedon (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing ground color white but covered with black speckling, giving an overall gray appearance; AM, PM, and subterminal lines black, zigzag, with large sharp teeth; thin black line runs along main vein to lower corner of reniform spot; black basal dash; black anal dash extends only to PM line (not to middle of wing); subterminal area usually more whitish than remainder of wing; terminal area with less dark shading than in A. contacta ; terminal line a series of black spots that extend into fringe; hindwing dirty brownish-gray with dark PM line and diffuse discal spot; terminal line thin, black; fringe pale gray with some dark spots
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Andropolia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
wet western coniferous forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Alberta to California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in summer (July and August)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of alder ( Alnus ), maple ( Acer ), Oceanspray ( Holodiscus discolor ), and Pacific Ninebark ( Physocarpus capitatus )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Andropolia aedon. 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 Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570
What is Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570?
Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570 (Andropolia aedon) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570?
wingspan 42-46 mm, based on two Internet photos
How do you identify Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570?
Adult: forewing ground color white but covered with black speckling, giving an overall gray appearance; AM, PM, and subterminal lines black, zigzag, with large sharp teeth; thin black line runs along main vein to lower corner of reniform spot; black basal dash; black anal dash extends only to PM line (not to middle of wing); subterminal area usually more whitish than remainder of wing; terminal area with less dark shading than in A. contacta ; terminal line a series of black spots that extend into fringe; hindwing dirty brownish-gray with dark PM line and diffuse discal spot; terminal line thin, black; fringe pale gray with some dark spots
Where is Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet western coniferous forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | British Columbia and Alberta to California |
What does Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570 eat?
The diet of the Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570 includes larvae feed on leaves of alder ( Alnus ), maple ( Acer ), Oceanspray ( Holodiscus discolor ), and Pacific Ninebark ( Physocarpus capitatus ).
When is Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570 active?
Andropolia aedon - Hodges#9570: seasonal activity - adults fly in summer (July and August).