Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841
Catocala abbreviatella
This record describes Catocala abbreviatella (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Catocalini
- Genus
- Catocala (Underwings)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Midwest: The Dakotas south to Texas, east to Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin south to Arkansas. Grote syntypes: male & female, Texas ( Belfrage ). Lectotype male: Texas [USA].
Seasonal Activity
May thru August with peak flight in July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Amorpha canescens (Leadplant).
Life History
Eggs are deposited on tree bark in the fall and hatch the following spring. ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin abbrevio meaning "abbreviated," likely referring to the forewing lines that weaken towards the inner margin.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala abbreviatella. 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 Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841
How big is Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841?
Wingspan 40-50 mm. ( 5 )
Where is Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | Midwest: The Dakotas south to Texas, east to Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin south to Arkansas. Grote syntypes: male & female, Texas ( Belfrage ). Lectotype |
| Male | Texas [USA]. |
What does Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841 eat?
The diet of the Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841 includes Amorpha canescens (Leadplant)..
When is Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841 active?
Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841: seasonal activity - May thru August with peak flight in July..
What is the life cycle of a Abbreviated Underwing Moth - Hodges#8841?
Eggs are deposited on tree bark in the fall and hatch the following spring. ( 5 )