Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871
Catocala dulciola
This record describes Catocala dulciola (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
New York south to Virginia, west to Missouri, north to illinois and Michigan. Possibly endangered throughout its range. ( 5 ) Lectotype female: in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio (G.R. Pilate ). ( 6 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is June to July. ( 7 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host is hawthorn ( Crataegus ). ( 8 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "sweet."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala dulciola. 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 Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871
How big is Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871?
Wingspan averages 40-45 mm. ( 5 )
Where is Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | New York south to Virginia, west to Missouri, north to illinois and Michigan. Possibly endangered throughout its range. ( 5 ) Lectotype |
| Female | in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio (G.R. Pilate ). ( 6 ) |
What does Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871 eat?
The diet of the Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871 includes The larval host is hawthorn ( Crataegus ). ( 8 ).
When is Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871 active?
Sweet underwing moth - Hodges#8871: seasonal activity - The main flight period is June to July. ( 7 ).