Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428
Dargida procinctus
This record describes Dargida procinctus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing ground color dark brown, crossed by two pale prominent intersecting lines and several smaller/shorter pale lines Larva: head reddish-brown; body varies from pale green to blackish olive green with alternating lateral stripes of black, white, and yellow; under-side of body brownish-green; spiracles white (Oregon State U.) Caterpillar, pupa, and adult: Does not occur in eastern North America.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Hadenini
- Genus
- Dargida
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
meadows
Geographic Range
Wisconsin and Manitoba to British Columbia, south to California and Arizona
Seasonal Activity
larvae found until June or July adults fly in August and September in the north; much earlier (spring) in the south
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on grasses, particularly Reed Canary Grass ( Phalaris arundinacea )
Life History
overwinters as partly-mature larva
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dargida procinctus. 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 Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , anitagould , Maury Heiman , Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428
What is Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428?
Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428 (Dargida procinctus) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428?
adult: wingspan about 40 mm larva: 30-35 mm
How do you identify Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428?
Adult: forewing ground color dark brown, crossed by two pale prominent intersecting lines and several smaller/shorter pale lines Larva: head reddish-brown; body varies from pale green to blackish olive green with alternating lateral stripes of black, white, and yellow; under-side of body brownish-green; spiracles white (Oregon State U.) Caterpillar, pupa, and adult:
Where is Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | meadows |
| Range | Wisconsin and Manitoba to British Columbia, south to California and Arizona |
What does Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428 eat?
The diet of the Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428 includes larvae feed on grasses, particularly Reed Canary Grass ( Phalaris arundinacea ).
When is Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428 active?
Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428: seasonal activity - larvae found until June or July adults fly in August and September in the north; much earlier (spring) in the south.
What is the life cycle of a Olive Green Cutworm - Hodges#10428?
overwinters as partly-mature larva