LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544

Euplexia triplaga

This record describes Euplexia triplaga (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 - Euplexia triplaga
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Distinctive light colored subapical patch.

Classification

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

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Arizona, Mexico to Venezuela.

Seasonal Activity

Adults appear to be most common from June to August. ,

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euplexia triplaga. 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 Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 (5)

Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544

What is Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544?

Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 (Euplexia triplaga) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544?

Wingspan 32-36 mm.

How do you identify Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544?

Distinctive light colored subapical patch.

Where is Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 found?

Range: Arizona, Mexico to Venezuela.

When is Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544 active?

Euplexia triplaga - Hodges#9544: seasonal activity - Adults appear to be most common from June to August. ,.

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.