Eulithosia discistriga - Hodges#9769
Eulithosia discistriga
This record describes Eulithosia discistriga (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Stiriinae
- Tribe
- Stiriini
- Genus
- Eulithosia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Uncommon throughout its known range of western Texas, southern and western Arizona, southern Nevada, and southeastern California (Nearctica.com).
Seasonal Activity
Berkeley Natural History Museum lists April records from southern California. Lepidopterist Society Season Summary lists April, June records for New Mexico and September records for western Texas. BugGuide records from Arizona suggest two broods, adults flying March-April and August-September.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "disc streaks," likely for the "two lateral longitudinal rusty brown lines extending from base of collar to base of disc."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eulithosia discistriga. 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 Eulithosia discistriga - Hodges#9769 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Eulithosia discistriga - Hodges#9769
How big is Eulithosia discistriga - Hodges#9769?
Wingspan about 22-28 mm.
Where is Eulithosia discistriga - Hodges#9769 found?
Range: Uncommon throughout its known range of western Texas, southern and western Arizona, southern Nevada, and southeastern California (Nearctica.com).
When is Eulithosia discistriga - Hodges#9769 active?
Eulithosia discistriga - Hodges#9769: seasonal activity - Berkeley Natural History Museum lists April records from southern California. Lepidopterist Society Season Summary lists April, June records for New Mexico and September records for western Texas. BugGuide records from Arizona suggest two broods, adults flying March-April and August-September..