LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380

Apamea relicina

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

Identification and Appearance

Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 - Apamea relicina
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo from Marcie O'Connor identified by Merrill Lynch and conformed by Hugh McGuinness . Listed on the Indiana Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Species (PDF) list.

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

Geographic Range

Generally east of a line from Arizona to Wisconsin. Type: [USA] Texas, Waco Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.

Seasonal Activity

The flight period appears to be May through October with the peak in September.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Apamea relicina. 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 relicina - Hodges#9380 (5)

Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380

What is Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380?

Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 (Apamea relicina) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380?

Wingspan about 39 mm.

How do you identify Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380?

Photo from Marcie O'Connor identified by Merrill Lynch and conformed by Hugh McGuinness .

Where is Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 found?

Range: Generally east of a line from Arizona to Wisconsin. Type: [USA] Texas, Waco Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.

When is Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380 active?

Apamea relicina - Hodges#9380: seasonal activity - The flight period appears to be May through October with the peak in September..

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.