Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724
Euxoa vetusta
This record describes Euxoa vetusta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
One of the easier species of Euxoa to identify. The whitish to grayish forwings with the large discal spots help separate it from most other species. The space between the orbicular and reniform spots is usually shaded from gray to black. The hindwings are dark brown to gray with a paler fringe. Males have pectinate antennae and females have filiform antennae.
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
Mainly wet conifer forest from the coast to the Cascades.
Geographic Range
Species occurs in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to California.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from late April to early September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are reported to feed on herbaceous plants.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euxoa vetusta. 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 vetusta - Hodges#10724 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724
What is Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724?
Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724 (Euxoa vetusta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724?
Forewing ranges from 16-19 mm, wingspan 38-42 mm.
How do you identify Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724?
One of the easier species of Euxoa to identify. The whitish to grayish forwings with the large discal spots help separate it from most other species. The space between the orbicular and reniform spots is usually shaded from gray to black. The hindwings are dark brown to gray with a paler fringe. Males have pectinate antennae and females have filiform antennae.
Where is Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mainly wet conifer forest from the coast to the Cascades. |
| Range | Species occurs in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to California. |
What does Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724 eat?
The diet of the Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724 includes Larvae are reported to feed on herbaceous plants..
When is Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724 active?
Euxoa vetusta - Hodges#10724: seasonal activity - Adults fly from late April to early September..