Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169
Bagisara rectifascia
This record describes Bagisara rectifascia (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing have no darkening at the reniform spot and no noticeable dark shading of the three lines; outer margin rounded; male foretibia and forefemur without black-tipped scale tufts.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Bagisarinae
- Genus
- Bagisara
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern United States north to Massachusetts and Manitoba, south to Costa Rica. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
Most records for adults are May to September. Earlier and later records in the southern regions.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae have been reported to feed on: Local populations however appear to exhibit strong preferences for a single species from the above.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: From the Latin "rectus" (straight) + "fascia" (a band, fillet); refers to the lines or bands on the forewing, and is the origin of the common name
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Bagisara rectifascia. 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 Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , George Smiley
Frequently Asked Questions About Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169
What is Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169?
Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169 (Bagisara rectifascia) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169?
Forewing length 12-14 mm.
How do you identify Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169?
Adult: forewing have no darkening at the reniform spot and no noticeable dark shading of the three lines; outer margin rounded; male foretibia and forefemur without black-tipped scale tufts.
Where is Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169 found?
Range: Southern United States north to Massachusetts and Manitoba, south to Costa Rica. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
What does Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169 eat?
The diet of the Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169 includes Larvae have been reported to feed on: Local populations however appear to exhibit strong preferences for a single species from the above..
When is Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169 active?
Straight Lined Mallow Moth - Hodges#9169: seasonal activity - Most records for adults are May to September. Earlier and later records in the southern regions..