Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946
Epiglaea decliva
This record describes Epiglaea decliva (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing variably orangish to reddish-brown or purplish-brown; reniform and orbicular spots oblong, filled with slightly darker color, and with pale outline; orbicular spot on oblique angle; PM line either faint and evenly rounded, with black spots beyond it, or scalloped, with black spots at scallop points; subterminal line dark, slightly irregular, with pale distal edge; terminal line thin, scalloped; hindwing dirty brownish-gray with wavy red terminal line and pinkish fringe Larva: body brown to reddish-brown with elongate pale dorsal spots at caudal end of third thoracic segment and first seven abdominal segments; faint dorsal stripe on first two thoracic segments; faint subdorsal stripe, and indistinct white to yellow spiracular line; body paler below stripe; prothoracic plate well differentiated, divided over midline; head mottled black with short brown bar over each vertex; spiracles often cream or brown with black rim or wholly darkened [adapted from description by David Wagner et al ]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Epiglaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
barrens, thickets, woodlots, forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light and bait
Geographic Range
Quebec and Maine to South Carolina, west to Kansas, north to Alberta
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from October to December larvae from May to July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of apple, cherry, and oak
Life History
overwinters as an egg; eggs hatch in spring about the time cherry leafs out; one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Epiglaea decliva. 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 Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946
What is Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946?
Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946 (Epiglaea decliva) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946?
wingspan 40-50 mm larvae to 50 mm
How do you identify Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946?
Adult: forewing variably orangish to reddish-brown or purplish-brown; reniform and orbicular spots oblong, filled with slightly darker color, and with pale outline; orbicular spot on oblique angle; PM line either faint and evenly rounded, with black spots beyond it, or scalloped, with black spots at scallop points; subterminal line dark, slightly irregular, with pale distal edge; terminal line thin, scalloped; hindwing dirty brownish-gray with wavy red terminal line and pinkish fringe Larva: body brown to reddish-brown with elongate pale dorsal spots at caudal end of third thoracic segment and first seven abdominal segments; faint dorsal stripe on first two thoracic segments; faint subdorsal stripe, and indistinct white to yellow spiracular line; body paler below stripe; prothoracic plate well differentiated, divided over midline; head mottled black with short brown bar over each vertex; spiracles often cream or brown with black rim or wholly darkened [adapted from description by David Wagner et al ]
Where is Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | barrens, thickets, woodlots, forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light and bait |
| Range | Quebec and Maine to South Carolina, west to Kansas, north to Alberta |
What does Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946 eat?
The diet of the Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946 includes larvae feed on leaves of apple, cherry, and oak.
When is Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946 active?
Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946: seasonal activity - adults fly from October to December larvae from May to July.
What is the life cycle of a Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946?
overwinters as an egg; eggs hatch in spring about the time cherry leafs out; one generation per year