Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526
Bellura densa
This record describes Bellura densa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brown/tan forewings. Reniform spot partly filled with orange.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Arzamini
- Genus
- Bellura
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Near wetlands, esp. marshes with hostplants.
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States: Maryland to southern Florida, west to Indiana, Louisiana.
Seasonal Activity
June-August (2 broods in south)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Food of adults not known--may not feed, like many Noctuids
Life History
Larvae feed on cattails, pickerelweed, water hyacinth, all wetland plants. Early instars feed on surface, later burrow into leaves or into rhizomes. Pupa is naked.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Bellura densa. 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 Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526
What is Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526?
Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526 (Bellura densa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526?
Wingspan 3.5-5 cm TL≈19-26mm
How do you identify Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526?
Brown/tan forewings. Reniform spot partly filled with orange.
Where is Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Near wetlands, esp. marshes with hostplants. |
| Range | Southeastern United States: Maryland to southern Florida, west to Indiana, Louisiana. |
What does Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526 eat?
The diet of the Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526 includes Food of adults not known--may not feed, like many Noctuids.
When is Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526 active?
Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526: seasonal activity - June-August (2 broods in south).
What is the life cycle of a Pickerelweed Borer Moth - Hodges#9526?
Larvae feed on cattails, pickerelweed, water hyacinth, all wetland plants. Early instars feed on surface, later burrow into leaves or into rhizomes. Pupa is naked.