LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981

Dryotype opina

This record describes Dryotype opina (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 - Dryotype opina
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

The original description as Dryobota opina Grote is available at the link in the print references below. Specimens identified by DNA analysis:

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Xylenini
Genus
Dryotype

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

British Columbia to central California ( 3 ) . ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Adults fly from September to November. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval hosts include Lathyrus , and Lupinus spp. ( 4 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dryotype opina. 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 Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 (5)

Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Frequently Asked Questions About Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981

What is Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981?

Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 (Dryotype opina) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981?

Forewing length 13-16 mm.

How do you identify Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981?

The original description as Dryobota opina Grote is available at the link in the print references below. Specimens identified by DNA analysis:

Where is Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 found?

Range: British Columbia to central California ( 3 ) . ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

What does Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 eat?

The diet of the Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 includes Larval hosts include Lathyrus , and Lupinus spp. ( 4 ).

When is Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981 active?

Dryotype opina - Hodges#9981: seasonal activity - Adults fly from September to November. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ).

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.