Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592
Cissusa spadix
This record describes Cissusa spadix (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - overall forewing color varies from light to very dark. Larva - see Coyle et. al, 2013 (fig.1c, p.83) in Print References or consult Wagner et al., 2011.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Melipotini
- Genus
- Cissusa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Arizona to Florida and north to Ontario and Quebec. Note: All records from Arizona, southern New Mexico and western-southwestern Texas most likely are of an undescribed species (Jan Metlevski) ( ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults first appear in spring just before bud break on oak trees (Coyle et. al, 2013).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are oaks, red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) and white oak ( Quercus alba L,) preferred (Coyle et. al, 2013). Also Live Oak, and possibly hickories and other species during outbreaks. ( Moths of North Carolina )
Life History
Adults appear high in the tree canopy in spring before oak trees bud. Eggs are likely laid near the buds. Caterpillars hide during the day beneath bark or in leaf litter near the host tree. In the evening they migrate up the tree en masse to feed on new leaves. Pupation occurs in the soil or leaf litter. Adults emerge the following spring. Larvae are heavily predated by squirrels and the fiery caterpillar hunter beetle ( Calosoma scrutator ). During heavy outbreaks squirrels will damage trees by stripping the bark to get at the caterpillars. Adults and larvae are attracted to lights (Coyle et. al, 2013).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name spadix is Greek meaning "brown."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cissusa spadix. 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 Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Ted Kropiewnicki , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592
What is Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592?
Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592 (Cissusa spadix) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592?
Wingspan 3-4.1 cm (Coyle et. al, 2013). Larva to 4.5 cm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592?
Adult - overall forewing color varies from light to very dark. Larva - see Coyle et. al, 2013 (fig.1c, p.83) in Print References or consult Wagner et al., 2011.
Where is Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592 found?
Range: Arizona to Florida and north to Ontario and Quebec. Note: All records from Arizona, southern New Mexico and western-southwestern Texas most likely are of an undescribed species (Jan Metlevski) ( ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
What does Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592 eat?
The diet of the Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592 includes Larval hosts are oaks, red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) and white oak ( Quercus alba L,) preferred (Coyle et. al, 2013). Also Live Oak, and possibly hickories and other species during outbreaks. ( Moths of North Carolina ).
When is Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592 active?
Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592: seasonal activity - Adults first appear in spring just before bud break on oak trees (Coyle et. al, 2013)..
What is the life cycle of a Black-dotted Brown Moth - Hodges#8592?
Adults appear high in the tree canopy in spring before oak trees bud. Eggs are likely laid near the buds. Caterpillars hide during the day beneath bark or in leaf litter near the host tree. In the evening they migrate up the tree en masse to feed on new leaves. Pupation occurs in the soil or leaf litter. Adults emerge the following spring. Larvae are heavily predated by squirrels and the fiery caterpillar hunter beetle ( Calosoma scrutator ). During heavy outbreaks squirrels will damage trees by stripping the bark to get at the caterpillars. Adults and larvae are attracted to lights (Coyle et. al, 2013).