Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1
Cosmia elisae
This record describes Cosmia elisae (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light to medium gray with distinct black lines and black-rimmed spots filled with ground color; reniform spot bent into V shape; orbicular spot oval or irregular-shaped, sometimes connecting to reniform spot; claviform spot narrow, pointed; AM line usually thin, slightly sinuate, bending outward at inner margin; PM line irregular, toothed; subterminal line scalloped, with paler shading beyond it; terminal line a series of black dashes; diffuse dark spot near anal angle; hindwing grayish with indistinct and diffuse subterminal band; fringe pale Larva: head green, unmarked; body green with prominent white middorsal and subdorsal stripes; spiracular stripe white with dark green margin above Sometimes misidentified as Cosmia (=Achytonix) epipaschia , a species which is known only from a single specimen (the holotype) collected in New Mexico and described by Grote in 1883. See Remarks section on genus page for comments quoted from the Print Reference below. An All-Leps image taken from this page seems atypical in that its AM line is thick, arc-shaped, and doesn't bend outward at the inner margin. Judging from the pin label, the specimen was collected in Summerhaven, Arizona; perhaps its appearance is more typical (?) of southern specimens.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Cosmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
coniferous forests in western mountains; adults come to light
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Alberta to California and Arizona
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September larvae from May to July pupae in June and July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed mainly on foliage of Douglas-fir; other hosts include Western Hemlock, Amabilis Fir, Grand Fir, Subalpine Fir
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cosmia elisae. 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 Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1
What is Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1?
Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1 (Cosmia elisae) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1?
wingspan 25-29 mm, based on three Internet photos larva length to 25 mm
How do you identify Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1?
Adult: forewing light to medium gray with distinct black lines and black-rimmed spots filled with ground color; reniform spot bent into V shape; orbicular spot oval or irregular-shaped, sometimes connecting to reniform spot; claviform spot narrow, pointed; AM line usually thin, slightly sinuate, bending outward at inner margin; PM line irregular, toothed; subterminal line scalloped, with paler shading beyond it; terminal line a series of black dashes; diffuse dark spot near anal angle; hindwing grayish with indistinct and diffuse subterminal band; fringe pale Larva: head green, unmarked; body green with prominent white middorsal and subdorsal stripes; spiracular stripe white with dark green margin above
Where is Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous forests in western mountains; adults come to light |
| Range | British Columbia and Alberta to California and Arizona |
What does Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1 eat?
The diet of the Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1 includes larvae feed mainly on foliage of Douglas-fir; other hosts include Western Hemlock, Amabilis Fir, Grand Fir, Subalpine Fir.
When is Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1 active?
Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September larvae from May to July pupae in June and July.
What is the life cycle of a Cosmia elisae - Hodges#9814.1?
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg