Condica charada - Hodges#9704
Condica charada
This record describes Condica charada (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewing is uniform medium gray with most maculation obscure; PM line is a lighter band accented by obscure set of dark gray and white dots on outer side and series of similarly obscure gray lunules on inner side; ST line is lighter line and ST area usually slightly lighter in color than rest of wing; reniform spot consists of dark lunule surrounded by a distinct lighter ring and is accented with small white spot at lower end that radiates out slightly along the veins; orbicular spot is usually obscure, but when visible is a small circle vaguely outlined in dull white; claviform spot absent. Under discussion of Condica andrena at Neartica, the hindwing of charada is mentioned as having a wide dark band at the outer margin.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Condicinae
- Tribe
- Condicini
- Genus
- Condica
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southern and central Texas west to Mohave County in Arizona
Seasonal Activity
April to November
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Schaus, 1906
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Condica charada. 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 Condica charada - Hodges#9704 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Condica charada - Hodges#9704
What is Condica charada - Hodges#9704?
Condica charada - Hodges#9704 (Condica charada) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Condica charada - Hodges#9704?
Forewing length 17-18 mm
How do you identify Condica charada - Hodges#9704?
Forewing is uniform medium gray with most maculation obscure; PM line is a lighter band accented by obscure set of dark gray and white dots on outer side and series of similarly obscure gray lunules on inner side; ST line is lighter line and ST area usually slightly lighter in color than rest of wing; reniform spot consists of dark lunule surrounded by a distinct lighter ring and is accented with small white spot at lower end that radiates out slightly along the veins; orbicular spot is usually obscure, but when visible is a small circle vaguely outlined in dull white; claviform spot absent. Under discussion of Condica andrena at Neartica, the hindwing of charada is mentioned as having a wide dark band at the outer margin.
Where is Condica charada - Hodges#9704 found?
Range: southern and central Texas west to Mohave County in Arizona
When is Condica charada - Hodges#9704 active?
Condica charada - Hodges#9704: seasonal activity - April to November.