Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231
Cycnia oregonensis
This record describes Cycnia oregonensis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing pale whitish-gray with white wing veins and no yellow along costa; top of head yellow; dorsal surface of abdomen orangish-yellow with large black spot on each segment.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Arctiinae
- Tribe
- Arctiini
- Genus
- Cycnia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Fields, meadows, prairie grasslands.
Geographic Range
Southern Canada and all of United States except southeastern states. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include: Apocynum cannabinum L. ( Indian Hemp) Apocynum androsaemifolium L. (spreading dogbane)
Life History
1.larva 2.adult PDF of life cycle by MJ Hatfield
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cycnia oregonensis. 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 Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , anitagould , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Blocky , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231
What is Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231?
Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231 (Cycnia oregonensis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231?
wingspan about 45 mm
How do you identify Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231?
forewing pale whitish-gray with white wing veins and no yellow along costa; top of head yellow; dorsal surface of abdomen orangish-yellow with large black spot on each segment.
Where is Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields, meadows, prairie grasslands. |
| Range | Southern Canada and all of United States except southeastern states. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231 eat?
The diet of the Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231 includes Larval hosts include: Apocynum cannabinum L. ( Indian Hemp) Apocynum androsaemifolium L. (spreading dogbane).
When is Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231 active?
Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to August.
What is the life cycle of a Oregon Cycnia - Hodges#8231?
1.larva 2.adult PDF of life cycle by MJ Hatfield