LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915

Autographa pasiphaeia

This record describes Autographa pasiphaeia (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 - Autographa pasiphaeia
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Plusiinae
Tribe
Plusiini
Genus
Autographa

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

California and Oregon. ( 4 )

Seasonal Activity

Adults have been recorded year round. ( 5 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval host plants include: Stachys ajugoides Benth. (bugle hedgenettle). S. rigida

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Autographa pasiphaeia. 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 Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 (5)

Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich
Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich
Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich
Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich
Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich

Frequently Asked Questions About Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915

How big is Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915?

Forewing length 15 mm. ( 3 )

Where is Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 found?

Range: California and Oregon. ( 4 )

What does Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 eat?

The diet of the Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 includes Larval host plants include: Stachys ajugoides Benth. (bugle hedgenettle). S. rigida.

When is Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915 active?

Autographa pasiphaeia - Hodges#8915: seasonal activity - Adults have been recorded year round. ( 5 ).

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.