Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2
Cerastis enigmatica
This record describes Cerastis enigmatica (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing reddish-brown with pale yellowish-red subterminal area; orbicular and reniform spots fused together to form a large white-rimmed V-shaped spot; dark brown patches border three sides of fused spot; fringe pinkish; thoracic collar pale yellow, contrasting with dark brown remainder of thorax; hindwing light grayish-yellow with pink tint Specimens identified by DNA analysis:
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
Habitat
wet west coast forests
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in early spring
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Salmonberry ( Rubus spectabilis )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: the suggested common name of Enigmatic Dart is based on the specific epithet; perhaps this moth was an enigma to early taxonomists until it was described and differentiated from similar species in 1997, but this is speculation
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cerastis enigmatica. 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 Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2
What is Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2?
Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2 (Cerastis enigmatica) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2?
wingspan about 33 mm, based on photo of specimen by Jeff Miller
How do you identify Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2?
Adult: forewing reddish-brown with pale yellowish-red subterminal area; orbicular and reniform spots fused together to form a large white-rimmed V-shaped spot; dark brown patches border three sides of fused spot; fringe pinkish; thoracic collar pale yellow, contrasting with dark brown remainder of thorax; hindwing light grayish-yellow with pink tint Specimens identified by DNA analysis:
Where is Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet west coast forests |
| Range | British Columbia to California |
What does Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2 eat?
The diet of the Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2 includes larvae feed on leaves of Salmonberry ( Rubus spectabilis ).
When is Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2 active?
Enigmatic Dart - Hodges#10995.2: seasonal activity - adults fly in early spring.