LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424

Cobalos franciscanus

This record describes Cobalos franciscanus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424 - Cobalos franciscanus
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Apameini
Genus
Cobalos

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

California. , , Holotype ♂ from San Francisco, County, California. ,

Seasonal Activity

The main flight period appears to be April to October. ( 5 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cobalos franciscanus. 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 Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424 (2)

Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424

What is Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424?

Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424 (Cobalos franciscanus) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424?

Smith listed a wingspan of 28 mm.

How do you identify Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424?

Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )

Where is Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424 found?

Range: California. , , Holotype ♂ from San Francisco, County, California. ,

When is Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424 active?

Cobalos franciscanus - Hodges#9424: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to October. ( 5 ).

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.