Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2
Enargia fausta
This record describes Enargia fausta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing with black spot at base of reniform that is distinctly darker than other forewing markings. |
| Forewings | Forewings yellow ochre to orange ochre with contrasting dark markings, never unicolourous grey or brown; AM and PM lines distinct, sharp, and contrasting; border of reniform and orbicular usually sharply defined and continuous. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Enargia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Boreal forests
Geographic Range
Alberta to New Brunswick and adjacent states in the U.S.
Seasonal Activity
Type material in the species description is mainly from late July through early September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: White Birch, Poplars (Populus spp.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "The specific epithet is derived from Faustus, the alchemist of German legend who sold his soul to Mephistopheles, or Mephisto, in exchange for knowledge."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Enargia fausta. 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 Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Paul Dennehy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2
What is Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2?
Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2 (Enargia fausta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2?
17.5 mm (males) to 19.4 mm (females)
How do you identify Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing with black spot at base of reniform that is distinctly darker than other forewing markings. |
| Forewings | Forewings yellow ochre to orange ochre with contrasting dark markings, never unicolourous grey or brown; AM and PM lines distinct, sharp, and contrasting; border of reniform and orbicular usually sharply defined and continuous. |
Where is Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Boreal forests |
| Range | Alberta to New Brunswick and adjacent states in the U.S. |
What does Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2 eat?
The diet of the Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2 includes White Birch, Poplars (Populus spp.).
When is Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2 active?
Enargia fausta - Hodges#9550.2: seasonal activity - Type material in the species description is mainly from late July through early September.