Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694
Eucoptocnemis fimbriaris
This record describes Eucoptocnemis fimbriaris (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing either light gray or reddish; AM and PM lines formed of black-and-white dots; reniform spot yellowish, edged with blackish, and surrounded by dark gray scaling; terminal line composed of black spots; black patches along costa at top of AM and PM lines; hindwing dirty white with grayish-brown shading and faint median line of dark dots [adapted from description by Charles Covell ]
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
Habitat
sand prairie
Geographic Range
New Hampshire to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from September to November
Diet and Behavior
Diet: unrecorded but probably many low plants, according to Covell
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: FIMBRIARIS: from the Latin "fimbria" (a fringe); the origin of the common name Fringed Dart
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucoptocnemis fimbriaris. 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 Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694
What is Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694?
Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694 (Eucoptocnemis fimbriaris) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694?
wingspan 25-32 mm
How do you identify Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694?
Adult: forewing either light gray or reddish; AM and PM lines formed of black-and-white dots; reniform spot yellowish, edged with blackish, and surrounded by dark gray scaling; terminal line composed of black spots; black patches along costa at top of AM and PM lines; hindwing dirty white with grayish-brown shading and faint median line of dark dots [adapted from description by Charles Covell ]
Where is Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | sand prairie |
| Range | New Hampshire to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario |
What does Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694 eat?
The diet of the Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694 includes unrecorded but probably many low plants, according to Covell.
When is Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694 active?
Fringed Dart - Hodges#10694: seasonal activity - adults fly from September to November.