LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742

Euxoa terrenus

This record describes Euxoa terrenus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 - Euxoa terrenus
Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris

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

Habitat

coniferous forest

Geographic Range

Southern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta south to northern Utah and Nevada, and in Sierra Nevada and Transverse ranges of southern California.

Seasonal Activity

June to early August

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euxoa terrenus. 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 Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 (5)

Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 - photo 1
Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris
Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 - photo 2
Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris
Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 - photo 3
Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris
Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 - photo 4
Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris
Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 - photo 5
Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742

How big is Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742?

FW 15-19 mm

Where is Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 found?
FeatureDetails
Habitatconiferous forest
RangeSouthern British Columbia and southwestern Alberta south to northern Utah and Nevada, and in Sierra Nevada and Transverse ranges of southern California.
When is Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742 active?

Euxoa terrenus - Hodges#10742: seasonal activity - June to early August.

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

Photo credits: Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Chris Grinter , Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.