Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508
Egira crucialis
This record describes Egira crucialis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light to medium gray with black basal dash and black markings on either side of orbicular spot and below reniform spot; subterminal line broken into two sets of black dashes set at slight angle to outer margin; hindwing white to pale gray with dark discal spot and broken median and terminal lines. Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva: early instars pale gray with black dorsal and lateral dots on each abdominal segment, and black head; final instar light yellowish-brown with dark lateral dots on abdomen, and reddish-brown head. See Bruce Walsh's page for comments by Don Lafontaine on the possibility of peritalis being a distinct species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Orthosiini
- Genus
- Egira
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wet coniferous forests in western mountains, and riparian forests at lower elevations.
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California, east to Texas, north to Montana. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from February to July.(MPG)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of alder, Snowbrush ( Ceanothus velutinus ), Antelope Bitterbrush ( Purshia tridentata ), Oceanspray ( Holodiscus discolor ), oak, rose, Salal ( Gaultheria shallon ), Salmonberry ( Rubus spectabilis ), and Spiraea Powell (1986) found larvae on Pseudotsuga menziesii (Pinaceae). ( 3 )
Life History
Overwinters as a pupa; one generation per year.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Egira crucialis. 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 Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508
What is Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508?
Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508 (Egira crucialis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508?
Wingspan about 37-40 mm.
How do you identify Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508?
Adult: forewing light to medium gray with black basal dash and black markings on either side of orbicular spot and below reniform spot; subterminal line broken into two sets of black dashes set at slight angle to outer margin; hindwing white to pale gray with dark discal spot and broken median and terminal lines. Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva: early instars pale gray with black dorsal and lateral dots on each abdominal segment, and black head; final instar light yellowish-brown with dark lateral dots on abdomen, and reddish-brown head.
Where is Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wet coniferous forests in western mountains, and riparian forests at lower elevations. |
| Range | British Columbia to California, east to Texas, north to Montana. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection dates. |
What does Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508 eat?
The diet of the Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508 includes larvae feed on leaves of alder, Snowbrush ( Ceanothus velutinus ), Antelope Bitterbrush ( Purshia tridentata ), Oceanspray ( Holodiscus discolor ), oak, rose, Salal ( Gaultheria shallon ), Salmonberry ( Rubus spectabilis ), and Spiraea Powell (1986) found larvae on Pseudotsuga menziesii (Pinaceae). ( 3 ).
When is Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508 active?
Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508: seasonal activity - Most records are from February to July.(MPG).
What is the life cycle of a Egira crucialis - Hodges#10508?
Overwinters as a pupa; one generation per year.