Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426
Dyspyralis illocata
This record describes Dyspyralis illocata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing mottled grayish-brown with broad dark grayish band crossing wing in median area (edges of band irregular); dark oblique patch along costa near apex; terminal line composed of several dark semi-ellipses; fringe checkered pale and dark hindwing light brown or gray with slightly darker discal spot Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Hypenodinae
- Genus
- Dyspyralis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
low vegetation in woodlands
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to North Carolina, north to Ontario
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: food plant unknown
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dyspyralis illocata. 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 Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Robert Lord Zimlich , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426
What is Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426?
Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426 (Dyspyralis illocata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426?
wingspan about 15 mm ?
How do you identify Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426?
forewing mottled grayish-brown with broad dark grayish band crossing wing in median area (edges of band irregular); dark oblique patch along costa near apex; terminal line composed of several dark semi-ellipses; fringe checkered pale and dark hindwing light brown or gray with slightly darker discal spot Genitalia:
Where is Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | low vegetation in woodlands |
| Range | Nova Scotia to North Carolina, north to Ontario |
What does Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426 eat?
The diet of the Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426 includes food plant unknown.
When is Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426 active?
Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.
What is the life cycle of a Visitation Moth - Hodges#8426?
one generation per year