Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505
Egira hiemalis
This record describes Egira hiemalis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : forewing mottled light gray, darker gray, and reddish-brown; black basal dash curves toward costa, enclosing pale basal patch; reniform spot with reddish filling; orbicular spot pale, oblique, oblong; subterminal area lighter than median area; irregular subterminal line with darker shading beyond it; female darker than male, with less contrast on forewing; hindwing pale gray with dark veins, discal spot, and sometimes dark median line Larva : body pale grayish-green to green with pairs of black dorsolateral and lateral blotches on each segment; thin white dorsal, subdorsal, and subspiracular lines; head dark reddish-brown with black band over vertex of each lobe
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 the Pacific west.
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California, east to Arizona and Utah. ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from December to March in California; April and May in British Columbia larvae present June to August; pupation occurs in August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host plants include. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir). Corylus cornuta (beaked hazelnut). Fraxinus spp. (ash).
Life History
One generation per year; overwinters as a pupa beneath leaf litter.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Egira hiemalis. 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 hiemalis - Hodges#10505 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505
What is Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505?
Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505 (Egira hiemalis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505?
Wingspan 30-38 mm. Larvae to 30 mm.
How do you identify Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505?
Adult : forewing mottled light gray, darker gray, and reddish-brown; black basal dash curves toward costa, enclosing pale basal patch; reniform spot with reddish filling; orbicular spot pale, oblique, oblong; subterminal area lighter than median area; irregular subterminal line with darker shading beyond it; female darker than male, with less contrast on forewing; hindwing pale gray with dark veins, discal spot, and sometimes dark median line Larva : body pale grayish-green to green with pairs of black dorsolateral and lateral blotches on each segment; thin white dorsal, subdorsal, and subspiracular lines; head dark reddish-brown with black band over vertex of each lobe
Where is Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wet coniferous forests in the Pacific west. |
| Range | British Columbia to California, east to Arizona and Utah. |
What does Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505 eat?
The diet of the Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505 includes The larval host plants include. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir). Corylus cornuta (beaked hazelnut). Fraxinus spp. (ash)..
When is Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505 active?
Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505: seasonal activity - Adults fly from December to March in California; April and May in British Columbia larvae present June to August; pupation occurs in August.
What is the life cycle of a Egira hiemalis - Hodges#10505?
One generation per year; overwinters as a pupa beneath leaf litter.