Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741
Euxoa olivia
This record describes Euxoa olivia (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species can be so variable that has been 'originally' described no less than eight times, and many times by the same author. The form that is most recognizable has the forewing streaked longitudinally with costal, subterminal and posterior areas pale and the transverse lines obscure/incomplete. This form also typically has a pale streak distil to the claviform. In most males the forewing ground color is yellow brown or orange brown; the hindwing is white with brown shading near the terminal line. In most females the forewing ground color is gray or silver gray; the hindwing is pearl gray with the veins darker gray. Another form of this species has the forewings evenly colored with transverse lines prominent and defined in black. Pacific Northwest Moths considers females of this species to be dimorphic. Specimen identified by DNA analysis: Genitalia: ♀ ♂
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
Southern British Columbia to southern Manitoba south to northern Texas and west to southern California including southern Arizona and southern New Mexico. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults are seen from late August to December. Longer flight in California. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euxoa olivia. 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 olivia - Hodges#10741 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741
What is Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741?
Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741 (Euxoa olivia) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741?
Forewing length 13-17 mm.
How do you identify Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741?
This species can be so variable that has been 'originally' described no less than eight times, and many times by the same author. The form that is most recognizable has the forewing streaked longitudinally with costal, subterminal and posterior areas pale and the transverse lines obscure/incomplete. This form also typically has a pale streak distil to the claviform. In most males the forewing ground color is yellow brown or orange brown; the hindwing is white with brown shading near the terminal line. In most females the forewing ground color is gray or silver gray; the hindwing is pearl gray with the veins darker gray. Another form of this species has the forewings evenly colored with transverse lines prominent and defined in black. Pacific Northwest Moths considers females of this species to be dimorphic. Specimen identified by DNA analysis: Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Where is Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741 found?
Range: Southern British Columbia to southern Manitoba south to northern Texas and west to southern California including southern Arizona and southern New Mexico. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
When is Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741 active?
Euxoa olivia - Hodges#10741: seasonal activity - Adults are seen from late August to December. Longer flight in California. ( 3 ).