Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995
Cerastis cornuta
This record describes Cerastis cornuta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult distinguished from the very similar Cerastis robertsoni by differences in genitalia: in males of cornuta , the vesica is straight beyond the basal turn; in females of cornuta , the corpus bursae is constricted posteriorly, the appendix bursae is even in width throughout its length, and the ductus bursae is shorter. There are no reliable characters for separating these species without dissection. page creation based on identification of this image by personnel at BOLD.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Cerastis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
central California along the coast from Humboldt County to San Luis Obispo County, according to these records from U. of California at Berkeley
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from December to April
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cerastis cornuta. 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 Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995
What is Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995?
Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995 (Cerastis cornuta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995?
Forewing length 11-13 mm.
How do you identify Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995?
Adult distinguished from the very similar Cerastis robertsoni by differences in genitalia: in males of cornuta , the vesica is straight beyond the basal turn; in females of cornuta , the corpus bursae is constricted posteriorly, the appendix bursae is even in width throughout its length, and the ductus bursae is shorter. There are no reliable characters for separating these species without dissection.
Where is Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995 found?
Range: central California along the coast from Humboldt County to San Luis Obispo County, according to these records from U. of California at Berkeley
When is Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995 active?
Cerastis cornuta - Hodges#10995: seasonal activity - adults fly from December to April.