Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654
Caradrina meralis
This record describes Caradrina meralis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing medium gray with darker gray reniform and orbicular spots; lines either very faint or not visible; may have darker shading in subterminal area, with pale ST line running through it. A distinctive element in most individuals of four species in the genus Caradrina is the subterminal buff line (or row of spots) shaded with rich brown on the basal side contrasting with dusky gray on the distal side. A characteristic example is shown here: This includes C. meralis and C. montana primarily in the w. U.S. Also sharing the subterminal color pattern are C. multifera and C. clavipalpis of the n.e. U.S. Rare or threatened in several eastern parts of its range: a species In Greatest Need of Conservation in Illinois; threatened in Indiana; S1 in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire; special interest in rare in Ontario. [11/16/18: All of the previous document links were non-functional and have been removed; citations need updating.]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Caradrinini
- Genus
- Caradrina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
sandy grassland areas
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Ontario plus northeastern United States, south in the west to Arizona and California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in late summer and fall
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caradrina meralis. 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 Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Chuck Sexton , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654
What is Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654?
Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654 (Caradrina meralis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654?
wingspan 26-30 mm
How do you identify Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654?
Adult: forewing medium gray with darker gray reniform and orbicular spots; lines either very faint or not visible; may have darker shading in subterminal area, with pale ST line running through it. A distinctive element in most individuals of four species in the genus Caradrina is the subterminal buff line (or row of spots) shaded with rich brown on the basal side contrasting with dusky gray on the distal side. A characteristic example is shown here: This includes C. meralis and C. montana primarily in the w. U.S. Also sharing the subterminal color pattern are C. multifera and C. clavipalpis of the n.e. U.S.
Where is Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | sandy grassland areas |
| Range | British Columbia to Ontario plus northeastern United States, south in the west to Arizona and California |
When is Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654 active?
Rare Sand Quaker - Hodges#9654: seasonal activity - adults fly in late summer and fall.