Western Apamea - Hodges#9346
Apamea occidens
This record describes Apamea occidens (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing gray with well-defined lines and large pale discal spots, broad gray subterminal band (sometimes tinted with pink), and no dentate subterminal line; AM line white, double, lobed; black anal dash, and short black basal dash; hindwing brownish-gray with dark veins and discal spot, black terminal line, and white fringe
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
dry pine and juniper forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
California to Colorado, north to British Columbia and Alberta
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on grasses
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: occidens : a Middle English or Latin word meaning "the west" or "western"; refers to western North America in this case, and is the origin of the suggested common name Western Apamea
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Apamea occidens. 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 Western Apamea - Hodges#9346 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Apamea - Hodges#9346
What is Western Apamea - Hodges#9346?
Western Apamea - Hodges#9346 (Apamea occidens) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Western Apamea - Hodges#9346?
wingspan about 41-46 mm, based on two Internet photos
How do you identify Western Apamea - Hodges#9346?
Adult: forewing gray with well-defined lines and large pale discal spots, broad gray subterminal band (sometimes tinted with pink), and no dentate subterminal line; AM line white, double, lobed; black anal dash, and short black basal dash; hindwing brownish-gray with dark veins and discal spot, black terminal line, and white fringe
Where is Western Apamea - Hodges#9346 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | dry pine and juniper forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | California to Colorado, north to British Columbia and Alberta |
What does Western Apamea - Hodges#9346 eat?
The diet of the Western Apamea - Hodges#9346 includes larvae feed on grasses.
When is Western Apamea - Hodges#9346 active?
Western Apamea - Hodges#9346: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.