Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009
Eueretagrotis attentus
This record describes Eueretagrotis attentus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing reddish-brown with variable amounts of white scaling along costa from base to reniform spot; prominent black basal dash is diagnostic; orbicular and reniform spots variable from ground color with a few white spots to mostly white and outlined in black; AM and PM lines white with darker shading; ST line white; hindwing white with discal spot and thin dark terminal line [adapted from description by Michael Pogue]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Eueretagrotis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
locally common in peaty coniferous forests and damp mixed woods; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan and adjacent northern states, south in the Appalachians to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee) plus one record from northern Georgia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Handfield notes that larvae feed mainly on leaves of blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) and willow ( Salix spp.); other hosts include Yellow Birch ( Betula alleghaniensis ), elderberry ( Sambucus spp.), and strawberry ( Fragaria spp.)
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eueretagrotis attentus. 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 Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009
What is Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009?
Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009 (Eueretagrotis attentus) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009?
forewing length 14-17 mm; wingspan about 30-35 mm
How do you identify Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009?
Adult: forewing reddish-brown with variable amounts of white scaling along costa from base to reniform spot; prominent black basal dash is diagnostic; orbicular and reniform spots variable from ground color with a few white spots to mostly white and outlined in black; AM and PM lines white with darker shading; ST line white; hindwing white with discal spot and thin dark terminal line [adapted from description by Michael Pogue]
Where is Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | locally common in peaty coniferous forests and damp mixed woods; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan and adjacent northern states, south in the Appalachians to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee) plus one record from northern Georgia |
What does Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009 eat?
The diet of the Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009 includes Handfield notes that larvae feed mainly on leaves of blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) and willow ( Salix spp.); other hosts include Yellow Birch ( Betula alleghaniensis ), elderberry ( Sambucus spp.), and strawberry ( Fragaria spp.).
When is Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009 active?
Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.
What is the life cycle of a Attentive Dart - Hodges#11009?
one generation per year