Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292
Cryphia cuerva
This record describes Cryphia cuerva (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: thorax and abdomen slender, delicate; forewing mottled with cryptically-colored mix of black, white, bronzy yellow, and gray scales; lines and spots obscure; some specimens have an overall dark forewing, whereas others have extensive white in the subterminal area which contrasts against the dark median area (a feature that distinguishes them from C. olivacea - see See Also section below); no subterminal line; hindwing either uniformly gray or gray tinted with white; diffuse discal spot sometimes visible This is the only Cryphia species recorded on two lists of moths from Oregon; see Internet References section below.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Bryophilinae
- Genus
- Cryphia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"abundant in the volcanic lava fields of the Cascade Range" [Jeff Miller]
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Alberta to California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from July to October in California, July to September in Oregon
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larval foodplant unknown
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cryphia cuerva. 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 Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Ethan Kistler , marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292
What is Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292?
Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292 (Cryphia cuerva) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292?
wingspan about 24 mm, based on photo by Jeff Miller at USGS
How do you identify Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292?
Adult: thorax and abdomen slender, delicate; forewing mottled with cryptically-colored mix of black, white, bronzy yellow, and gray scales; lines and spots obscure; some specimens have an overall dark forewing, whereas others have extensive white in the subterminal area which contrasts against the dark median area (a feature that distinguishes them from C. olivacea - see See Also section below); no subterminal line; hindwing either uniformly gray or gray tinted with white; diffuse discal spot sometimes visible
Where is Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | abundant in the volcanic lava fields of the Cascade Range [Jeff Miller] |
| Range | British Columbia and Alberta to California |
What does Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292 eat?
The diet of the Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292 includes larval foodplant unknown.
When is Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292 active?
Cryphia Moth - Hodges#9292: seasonal activity - adults fly from July to October in California, July to September in Oregon.