LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2

Elaphria cyanympha

This record describes Elaphria cyanympha (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 - Elaphria cyanympha
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Classification

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

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Mississippi to South Carolina and Florida . , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Most records of adults are from February to April, June, September to October. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval host is unknown. ( 5 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Elaphria cyanympha. 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 Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 (5)

Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2

Where is Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 found?

Range: Mississippi to South Carolina and Florida . , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

What does Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 eat?

The diet of the Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 includes Larval host is unknown. ( 5 ).

When is Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2 active?

Elaphria cyanympha - Hodges#9297.2: seasonal activity - Most records of adults are from February to April, June, September to October. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ).

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.