Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1
Cirrhophanus pretiosa
This record describes Cirrhophanus pretiosa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1 (Cirrhophanus pretiosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Stiriinae, tribe Stiriini, superfamily Noctuoidea. This species belongs to the genus Cirrhophanus. As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: The forewing length is 13-15 mm. (smaller than Cirrhophanus triangulifer ).. Active during The main flight period is April to July. The adults fly earlier in the season than Cirrhophanus triangulifer (per James Adams).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Stiriinae
- Tribe
- Stiriini
- Genus
- Cirrhophanus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
South Dakota to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is April to July. ( 3 ) The adults fly earlier in the season than Cirrhophanus triangulifer (per James Adams)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Poole states the larval host plant is unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cirrhophanus pretiosa. 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 Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1
What is Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1?
Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1 (Cirrhophanus pretiosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1?
The forewing length is 13-15 mm. (smaller than Cirrhophanus triangulifer ).
Where is Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1 found?
Range: South Dakota to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
What does Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1 eat?
The diet of the Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1 includes Poole states the larval host plant is unknown..
When is Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1 active?
Cirrhophanus pretiosa - Hodges#9766.1: seasonal activity - The main flight period is April to July. ( 3 ) The adults fly earlier in the season than Cirrhophanus triangulifer (per James Adams).