Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409
Catoptria oregonicus
This record describes Catoptria oregonicus (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white with patchy brown scaling; central white streak runs from base to median line; median line dark, deeply zigzagged; PM line white, diffuse, blotchy; subterminal line thin, dark, curved, edged distally with white; subterminal and terminal areas brown; terminal line thin, dark, edged proximally with white; fringe a mix of brown and white scales; hindwing pale brownish-gray; fringe white
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Crambini
- Genus
- Catoptria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
meadows in mountains and foothills; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Alberta to Montana, Oregon and northern coastal California. in the Sierra Nevada up to 12,500'
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from July to early September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: unknown
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: type specimen was collected in Oregon
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catoptria oregonicus. 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 Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson , Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409
What is Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409?
Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409 (Catoptria oregonicus) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409?
wingspan 17-21 mm
How do you identify Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409?
Adult: forewing white with patchy brown scaling; central white streak runs from base to median line; median line dark, deeply zigzagged; PM line white, diffuse, blotchy; subterminal line thin, dark, curved, edged distally with white; subterminal and terminal areas brown; terminal line thin, dark, edged proximally with white; fringe a mix of brown and white scales; hindwing pale brownish-gray; fringe white
Where is Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | meadows in mountains and foothills; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | British Columbia and Alberta to Montana, Oregon and northern coastal California. in the Sierra Nevada up to 12,500' |
What does Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409 eat?
The diet of the Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409 includes unknown.
When is Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409 active?
Western Catoptria - Hodges#5409: seasonal activity - adults fly from July to early September.