The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434
Dargida rubripennis
This record describes Dargida rubripennis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewing yellowish-white, streaked with dull pink above and below whitish streak along main (cubital) vein; outer margin of forewing and white hindwing shaded with dull pink. [adapted from description by Charles Covell] Rare northward; may be locally common southward
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
Geographic Range
mostly e US to KS & TX - Map ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
The flight periods appear to be January to February and July to October. (MPG)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Switchgrass ( 4 ) and possibly other grasses
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: rubripennis (L). 'red wing' - reference to the forewing color
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dargida rubripennis. 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 The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Chris Grinter , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434
What is The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434?
The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434 (Dargida rubripennis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434?
Wingspan 32-37 mm.
How do you identify The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434?
Forewing yellowish-white, streaked with dull pink above and below whitish streak along main (cubital) vein; outer margin of forewing and white hindwing shaded with dull pink. [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Where is The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434 found?
Range: mostly e US to KS & TX - Map ( 3 )
What does The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434 eat?
The diet of the The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434 includes Switchgrass ( 4 ) and possibly other grasses.
When is The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434 active?
The Pink-Streak - Hodges#10434: seasonal activity - The flight periods appear to be January to February and July to October. (MPG).