LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1

Eucoptocnemis canescens

This record describes Eucoptocnemis canescens (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1 - Eucoptocnemis canescens
Contributed by Steve Morris

Classification

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

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

western Great Basin and Mojave Deserts from southeastern Oregon south thru Nevada to southern California

Seasonal Activity

mid-Sept to early November

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucoptocnemis canescens. 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 Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1 (2)

Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1 - photo 1
Contributed by Steve Morris
Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1 - photo 2
Contributed by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1

How big is Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1?

Forewing length 15-18 mm

Where is Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1 found?

Range: western Great Basin and Mojave Deserts from southeastern Oregon south thru Nevada to southern California

When is Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1 active?

Eucoptocnemis canescens - Hodges#10643.1: seasonal activity - mid-Sept to early November.

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.