Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1
Epinotia sotipena
This record describes Epinotia sotipena (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing light brown with darker speckling and diffuse whitish patch along costa near base; dark brown basal streak extends half-way along wing; another dark brown streak begins midway along costa and curves toward outer margin; hindwing pearly gray basally, shading to yellowish-brown toward outermargin; fringe wide, pale.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Epinotia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Shrubby, brushy areas; adults may be flushed from the ground or vegetation during the day.
Geographic Range
Northeastern United States and southeastern Canada: Quebec and Ontario, south to Maryland, west to Texas and Illinois.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly in April and May.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae probably feed on leaves of shrubs and woody plants in general (other Epinotia species feed on hawthorn and raspberry).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Epinotia sotipena. 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 Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1
What is Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1?
Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1 (Epinotia sotipena) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1?
Forewing length 5.8-8.2 mm.
How do you identify Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1?
Adult - forewing light brown with darker speckling and diffuse whitish patch along costa near base; dark brown basal streak extends half-way along wing; another dark brown streak begins midway along costa and curves toward outer margin; hindwing pearly gray basally, shading to yellowish-brown toward outermargin; fringe wide, pale.
Where is Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Shrubby, brushy areas; adults may be flushed from the ground or vegetation during the day. |
| Range | Northeastern United States and southeastern Canada: Quebec and Ontario, south to Maryland, west to Texas and Illinois. |
What does Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1 eat?
The diet of the Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1 includes Larvae probably feed on leaves of shrubs and woody plants in general (other Epinotia species feed on hawthorn and raspberry)..
When is Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1 active?
Black Dash Epinotia Moth - Hodges#3291.1: seasonal activity - Adults fly in April and May..