Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919
Autographa speciosa
This record describes Autographa speciosa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919 (Autographa speciosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Plusiinae, tribe Plusiini, superfamily Noctuoidea. This species belongs to the genus Autographa. As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: Wingspan 34-38 mm.. It is found in Subalpine meadows at high elevations and old-growth rainforests at low elevations.. Active during Adults are most common from July to August..
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
Habitat
Subalpine meadows at high elevations and old-growth rainforests at low elevations. ( 4 )
Geographic Range
California to British Columbia. ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from July to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults nectar at flowers. A Vancouver Island lepidopterist reported routinely attracting this species to his garden with a night blooming Mathiola (Hanhan, 1924). [Randy Hardy] There is no information on larval foodplants. ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Autographa speciosa. 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 Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Mike Boone , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919
What is Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919?
Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919 (Autographa speciosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919?
Wingspan 34-38 mm.
Where is Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Subalpine meadows at high elevations and old-growth rainforests at low elevations. ( 4 ) |
| Range | California to British Columbia. |
What does Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919 eat?
The diet of the Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919 includes Adults nectar at flowers. A Vancouver Island lepidopterist reported routinely attracting this species to his garden with a night blooming Mathiola (Hanhan, 1924). [Randy Hardy] There is no information on larval foodplants. ( 4 ).
When is Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919 active?
Autographa speciosa - Hodges#8919: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from July to August..