Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214
Cucullia astigma
This record describes Cucullia astigma (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Two disjunct populations. Colorado and New Mexico population have forewings as uniform medium gray with reniform and orbicular spots absent. Southern California population has forewings usually shaded white with reniform and orbicular spots present but not distinct.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Cuculliinae
- Genus
- Cucullia (Hooded Owlets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
south-western (CA, CO, NM)
Seasonal Activity
late May to early July
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cucullia astigma. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214
What is Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214?
Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214 (Cucullia astigma) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214?
forewing length ~19.5 mm
How do you identify Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214?
Two disjunct populations. Colorado and New Mexico population have forewings as uniform medium gray with reniform and orbicular spots absent. Southern California population has forewings usually shaded white with reniform and orbicular spots present but not distinct.
Where is Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214 found?
Range: south-western (CA, CO, NM)
When is Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214 active?
Cucullia astigma - Hodges#10214: seasonal activity - late May to early July.