LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075

Heliocheilus julia

This record describes Heliocheilus julia (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075 - Heliocheilus julia
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by cotinis , Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Heliothinae
Genus
Heliocheilus

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southeastern Arizona and central New Mexico. ,

Seasonal Activity

Adults fly late July to mid-September.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heliocheilus julia. 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 Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075 (2)

Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075 - photo 1
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by cotinis , Randy Hardy
Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075 - photo 2
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by cotinis , Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by cotinis , Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075

How big is Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075?

Forewing length 11-14 mm.

Where is Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075 found?

Range: Southeastern Arizona and central New Mexico. ,

When is Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075 active?

Heliocheilus julia - Hodges#11075: seasonal activity - Adults fly late July to mid-September..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by cotinis , Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.