Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726
Euxoa atomaris
This record describes Euxoa atomaris (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Smith original description as Agrotis atomaris in PDF. Essig described the larva The caterpillars are light gray in color, smooth, and, when full grown, measure about 1 1/2 inches in length. Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Euxoa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Western North America. ( 5 ) , ( 6 )
Seasonal Activity
The peak flight period is August to October. ( 6 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Essig (1915) stated the larvae feed on many weeds and garden crops including buds and foliage of grapes and prune trees.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euxoa atomaris. 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 Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726
What is Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726?
Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726 (Euxoa atomaris) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726?
Forewing length 13–16 mm. Smith listed the wingspan 31-35 mm.
How do you identify Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726?
Smith original description as Agrotis atomaris in PDF. Essig described the larva The caterpillars are light gray in color, smooth, and, when full grown, measure about 1 1/2 inches in length. Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Where is Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726 found?
Range: Western North America. ( 5 ) , ( 6 )
What does Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726 eat?
The diet of the Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726 includes Essig (1915) stated the larvae feed on many weeds and garden crops including buds and foliage of grapes and prune trees..
When is Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726 active?
Euxoa atomaris - Hodges#10726: seasonal activity - The peak flight period is August to October. ( 6 ).