Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814
Cosmia praeacuta
This record describes Cosmia praeacuta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing medium gray (to almost black out to subterminal line in some individuals) with distinct black lines and black-rimmed spots filled with ground color; reniform spot slightly curved (but not bent into V shape as in C. elisae ); orbicular spot oval or irregular-shaped, sometimes connecting to reniform spot; orbicular and reniform spots usually filled with yellowish to reddish-brown with some gray shading; claviform spot narrow, small, or absent; AM line thick/heavy, slightly arc-shaped or almost straight; PM line irregular, with inconspicuous teeth; subterminal line irregular, jagged, sometimes with paler shading beyond it; terminal line usually continuous, sometimes broken into black dashes; diffuse dark spot near anal angle; hindwing medium to dark gray; fringe pale Larva: head green; body green with white middorsal, subdorsal, and spiracular stripes (the same as in Cosmia elisae ) Often 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.
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 are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California, east to Utah and New Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September larvae in June and July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on foliage of Douglas-fir and other conifers
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cosmia praeacuta. 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 praeacuta - Hodges#9814 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814
What is Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814?
Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814 (Cosmia praeacuta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814?
wingspan 25-34 mm, based on six Internet photos
How do you identify Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814?
Adult: forewing medium gray (to almost black out to subterminal line in some individuals) with distinct black lines and black-rimmed spots filled with ground color; reniform spot slightly curved (but not bent into V shape as in C. elisae ); orbicular spot oval or irregular-shaped, sometimes connecting to reniform spot; orbicular and reniform spots usually filled with yellowish to reddish-brown with some gray shading; claviform spot narrow, small, or absent; AM line thick/heavy, slightly arc-shaped or almost straight; PM line irregular, with inconspicuous teeth; subterminal line irregular, jagged, sometimes with paler shading beyond it; terminal line usually continuous, sometimes broken into black dashes; diffuse dark spot near anal angle; hindwing medium to dark gray; fringe pale Larva: head green; body green with white middorsal, subdorsal, and spiracular stripes (the same as in Cosmia elisae )
Where is Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous forests in western mountains; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | British Columbia to California, east to Utah and New Mexico |
What does Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814 eat?
The diet of the Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814 includes larvae feed on foliage of Douglas-fir and other conifers.
When is Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814 active?
Cosmia praeacuta - Hodges#9814: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September larvae in June and July.