Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1
Eucoptocnemis rufula
This record describes Eucoptocnemis rufula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Don Lafontaine (pers., comm., 03/16/2018) advises that E. rufula is not known outside of AZ and NM. Similar examples from Texas likely represent a new undescribed species near rufula. Specimens of the undescribed taxon are currently shown shown at BOLD in BIN, ADJ4115 . - Steve Nanz, 03/18/2018
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
Arizona & New Mexico
Seasonal Activity
Spring
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucoptocnemis rufula. 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 Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1
What is Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1?
Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1 (Eucoptocnemis rufula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1?
Forewing: 14-17 mm
Where is Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1 found?
Range: Arizona & New Mexico
When is Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1 active?
Eucoptocnemis rufula - Hodges#10696.1: seasonal activity - Spring.