Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889
Dichagyris variabilis
This record describes Dichagyris variabilis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing is a pale yellowish brown to pale pinkish orange with dark orbicular and reniform spots. Reniform spot is somewhat flattened. |
| Hindwings | Hindwings are whitish. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Dichagyris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry open forests of pine and juniper, and grassy woodlands.
Geographic Range
Western North America from southern British Columbia and Alberta to California, east to Montana, South Dakota, and Colorado.
Seasonal Activity
Adults found mainly from late July to early October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillars feed on herbaceous vegetation.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dichagyris variabilis. 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 Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889
What is Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889?
Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889 (Dichagyris variabilis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889?
Forewing length from 15-19 mm, wingspan 36-40 mm.
How do you identify Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing is a pale yellowish brown to pale pinkish orange with dark orbicular and reniform spots. Reniform spot is somewhat flattened. |
| Hindwings | Hindwings are whitish. |
Where is Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry open forests of pine and juniper, and grassy woodlands. |
| Range | Western North America from southern British Columbia and Alberta to California, east to Montana, South Dakota, and Colorado. |
What does Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889 eat?
The diet of the Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889 includes Caterpillars feed on herbaceous vegetation..
When is Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889 active?
Dichagyris variabilis - Hodges#10889: seasonal activity - Adults found mainly from late July to early October..