Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059
Capis curvata
This record describes Capis curvata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing chocolate brown except for a pale whitish tip, separated from the remainder of the wing by a gently curved line A rare species, threatened or endangered in several parts of its range.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Eustrotiinae
- Genus
- Capis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
northeastern North America
Seasonal Activity
adults fly early June through mid September (Jim Sogaard)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: has been reared on sedges found in dry oak woods ( Jim Sogaard )
Life History
Life cycle images: larva; adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: CAPIS CURVATA: from the Latin "capistrum" (a halter) + "curvatus" (curved); presumably refers to the markings on the forewing which suggests a halter
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Capis curvata. 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 Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Ethan Kistler , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059
What is Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059?
Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059 (Capis curvata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059?
wingspan about 25 mm
How do you identify Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059?
Adult: forewing chocolate brown except for a pale whitish tip, separated from the remainder of the wing by a gently curved line
Where is Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059 found?
Range: northeastern North America
What does Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059 eat?
The diet of the Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059 includes has been reared on sedges found in dry oak woods ( Jim Sogaard ).
When is Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059 active?
Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059: seasonal activity - adults fly early June through mid September (Jim Sogaard).
What is the life cycle of a Curved Halter Moth - Hodges#9059?
Life cycle images: larva; adult