Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941
Furcula modesta
This record describes Furcula modesta (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing with cream or light tan tint in white areas; dark gray patch along costa near apex; broad dark gray band across median area may be narrowed in middle, or divided into two wedge-shaped patches; terminal line a series of small black dots; lacks orange or gold markings often present in other Furcula species hindwing white with two light gray patches and darker discal spot
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Cerurinae
- Genus
- Furcula
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
deciduous woods and shrublands
Geographic Range
across southern Canada and northern United States, south in the west to California and Arizona, south in the east to New England
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of willow, and sometimes poplar and pear
Life History
one or two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa Larva
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Furcula modesta. 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 Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941
What is Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941?
Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941 (Furcula modesta) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941?
wingspan 35-40 mm
How do you identify Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941?
forewing with cream or light tan tint in white areas; dark gray patch along costa near apex; broad dark gray band across median area may be narrowed in middle, or divided into two wedge-shaped patches; terminal line a series of small black dots; lacks orange or gold markings often present in other Furcula species hindwing white with two light gray patches and darker discal spot
Where is Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | deciduous woods and shrublands |
| Range | across southern Canada and northern United States, south in the west to California and Arizona, south in the east to New England |
What does Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941 eat?
The diet of the Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941 includes larvae feed on leaves of willow, and sometimes poplar and pear.
When is Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941 active?
Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to August.
What is the life cycle of a Modest Furcula - Hodges#7941?
one or two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa Larva