LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208

Cucullia mcdunnoughi

This record describes Cucullia mcdunnoughi (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 - Cucullia mcdunnoughi
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Henne (1940) original description as Copicucullia mcdunnoughi is available in the print references.

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

California ( 3 ) and Arizona to British Columbia. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )

Seasonal Activity

The flight period appears to be March to August with the peak from June to July. ,

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Henne reared from Stephanomeria species (wirelettuce).

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cucullia mcdunnoughi. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 (5)

Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208

What is Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208?

Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 (Cucullia mcdunnoughi) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208?

Forewing length 16-18 mm.

How do you identify Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208?

Henne (1940) original description as Copicucullia mcdunnoughi is available in the print references.

Where is Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 found?

Range: California ( 3 ) and Arizona to British Columbia. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )

What does Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 eat?

The diet of the Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 includes Henne reared from Stephanomeria species (wirelettuce)..

When is Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208 active?

Cucullia mcdunnoughi - Hodges#10208: seasonal activity - The flight period appears to be March to August with the peak from June to July. ,.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.