Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061
Cerma cora
This record describes Cerma cora (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing basal and subterminal areas olive green with wavy black lines; median area white with wavy/jagged black lines and prominent white orbicular spot (in moths at rest, the two orbicular spots and jagged lines between them give the appearance of an owl's face); terminal line a series of white triangular or oval spots with black centers hindwing white basally, grayish distally, with black-and-white checkered fringe Global Status: G3 (vulnerable); Considered rare in most of range and often associated with unusual and/or pristine habitats. Few documented occurrences, none in many states within its range, and single Ohio collection was before 1900. Other than Wisconsin, probably no state has more than five recently verified occurrences. Still, with records in the 1980s and since then scattered widely from New Hampshire and New York to Wisconsin to Florida and Louisiana, this species does not appear to be currently imperiled. [ NatureServe Explorer ]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acronictinae
- Genus
- Cerma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
described as "sandplain pitch pine - scrub oak barrens" in New England described as "levee forests with hawthorn" in North Carolina
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from February to April in the south; May to July in the north ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Pin Cherry ( Prunus pensylvanica ) and possibly hawthorn
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in dead wood Larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cerma cora. 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 Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061
What is Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061?
Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061 (Cerma cora) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061?
wingspan 27-30 mm
How do you identify Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061?
forewing basal and subterminal areas olive green with wavy black lines; median area white with wavy/jagged black lines and prominent white orbicular spot (in moths at rest, the two orbicular spots and jagged lines between them give the appearance of an owl's face); terminal line a series of white triangular or oval spots with black centers hindwing white basally, grayish distally, with black-and-white checkered fringe
Where is Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | described as sandplain pitch pine - scrub oak barrens in New England described as levee forests with hawthorn in North Carolina |
| Range | Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario ( 3 ) |
What does Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061 eat?
The diet of the Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061 includes larvae feed on Pin Cherry ( Prunus pensylvanica ) and possibly hawthorn.
When is Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061 active?
Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061: seasonal activity - adults fly from February to April in the south; May to July in the north ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9061?
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in dead wood Larva; adult