Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557
Chytonix sensilis
This record describes Chytonix sensilis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to Chytonix palliatricula . See here for an explanation of the differences. Genitalia: Chytonix sensilis is reported by several states to be declining in population and a species of concern.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Elaphriini
- Genus
- Chytonix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) included Quebec to Florida, Michigan to Texas. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults tend to fly in the late summer, being most common in August in the Northeast. Heppner (2003) reports April, August, October to November in Florida. ( 6 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chytonix sensilis. 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 Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , dennepj10 , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557
What is Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557?
Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557 (Chytonix sensilis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557?
Grote (1881) listed a wingspan of 31 mm. Moth Photographers Group shows several photos of 26 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557?
Very similar to Chytonix palliatricula . See here for an explanation of the differences. Genitalia:
Where is Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) included Quebec to Florida, Michigan to Texas. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 )
When is Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557 active?
Barrens Marvel - Hodges#9557: seasonal activity - The adults tend to fly in the late summer, being most common in August in the Northeast. Heppner (2003) reports April, August, October to November in Florida. ( 6 ).