LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1

Apamea atriclava

This record describes Apamea atriclava (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 - Apamea atriclava
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Apameini
Genus
Apamea

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Coastal forests. ( 6 )

Geographic Range

California to British Columbia. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are most common from May to September. ( 5 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larvae feed on various grasses (Poaceae). ,

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Apamea atriclava. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 (2)

Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1

What is Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1?

Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 (Apamea atriclava) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1?

Forewing length 19-23 mm.

How do you identify Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1?

Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )

Where is Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 found?
FeatureDetails
HabitatCoastal forests. ( 6 )
RangeCalifornia to British Columbia. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 eat?

The diet of the Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 includes Larvae feed on various grasses (Poaceae). ,.

When is Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1 active?

Apamea atriclava - Hodges#9333.1: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from May to September. ( 5 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.