LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776

Chalcopasta howardi

This record describes Chalcopasta howardi (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776 - Chalcopasta howardi
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Stiriinae
Tribe
Stiriini
Genus
Chalcopasta

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Central and southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and southern Texas.

Seasonal Activity

Adults in two flights April-May and July-October.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chalcopasta howardi. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776 (2)

Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776 - photo 1
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776 - photo 2
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776

How big is Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776?
FeatureDescription
ForewingForewing length 15-17 mm.
WingspanWingspan: ♂ 35 mm, ♀ 37 mm.
Where is Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776 found?

Range: Central and southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and southern Texas.

When is Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776 active?

Chalcopasta howardi - Hodges#9776: seasonal activity - Adults in two flights April-May and July-October..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.