Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988
Coenophila opacifrons
This record describes Coenophila opacifrons (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brownish-gray with dark toothed PM line and dark scalloped AM line; reniform and orbicular spots filled with ground color, and joined by dark line or patch (sometimes faint and/or partial); dark patch on basal side of orbicular spot does not extend past AM line; no noticeable basal dash or claviform spot; diffuse dark band across subterminal area; hindwing light brownish-gray with dark discal spot and veins, diffuse PM band, dark terminal line, and pale fringe; antennae bipectinate in male, simple in female Larva: body pale gray to blackish with dark brown reticulate (net-like) pattern and submedial arcs genitalia
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Coenophila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
boreal forest peat bogs and fens; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states, south in the east to New Jersey
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from July to early September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Leatherleaf ( Chamaedaphne [=Cassandra] calyculata ), blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) and Sweetgale ( Myrica gale )
Life History
one generation per year
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: opacifrons : from the Latin "opacus" (shady) + "frons" (forehead)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Coenophila opacifrons. 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 Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988
What is Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988?
Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988 (Coenophila opacifrons) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988?
wingspan 32-38 mm larva length to 35 mm
How do you identify Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988?
Adult: forewing brownish-gray with dark toothed PM line and dark scalloped AM line; reniform and orbicular spots filled with ground color, and joined by dark line or patch (sometimes faint and/or partial); dark patch on basal side of orbicular spot does not extend past AM line; no noticeable basal dash or claviform spot; diffuse dark band across subterminal area; hindwing light brownish-gray with dark discal spot and veins, diffuse PM band, dark terminal line, and pale fringe; antennae bipectinate in male, simple in female Larva: body pale gray to blackish with dark brown reticulate (net-like) pattern and submedial arcs genitalia
Where is Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | boreal forest peat bogs and fens; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states, south in the east to New Jersey |
What does Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988 eat?
The diet of the Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988 includes larvae feed on Leatherleaf ( Chamaedaphne [=Cassandra] calyculata ), blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) and Sweetgale ( Myrica gale ).
When is Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988 active?
Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988: seasonal activity - adults fly from July to early September.
What is the life cycle of a Blueberry Dart - Hodges#10988?
one generation per year