Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543
Aseptis characta
This record describes Aseptis characta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Determined by Chuck Harp.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Aseptis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Powell & Opler (2009) stated Aseptis characta is usually found in juniper woodlands. ( 3 )
Geographic Range
Powell & Opler (2009) reported "southeastern British Columbia east to Saskatchewan and south through interior aridlands to southern California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado." ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group large map with some distribution data. Holotype collected in "Nevada" by Mr. Tepper.
Seasonal Activity
Powell & Opler (2009) reported one flight of April to August with June the peak. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Powell & Opler (2009) listed Artemisia (Asteraceae). ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aseptis characta. 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 Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543
How big is Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543?
Grote (1880) listed a wingspan of 30 mm. Powell & Opler (2009) listed the forewing length 13-14 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543?
Determined by Chuck Harp.
Where is Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Powell & Opler (2009) stated Aseptis characta is usually found in juniper woodlands. ( 3 ) |
| Range | Powell & Opler (2009) reported southeastern British Columbia east to Saskatchewan and south through interior aridlands to southern California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group large map with some distribution data. Holotype collected in Nevada by Mr. Tepper. |
What does Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543 eat?
The diet of the Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543 includes Powell & Opler (2009) listed Artemisia (Asteraceae). ( 3 ).
When is Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543 active?
Aseptis characta - Hodges#9543: seasonal activity - Powell & Opler (2009) reported one flight of April to August with June the peak. ( 3 ).