Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074
Heliocheilus paradoxus
This record describes Heliocheilus paradoxus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Grote (1865) original description is online. 329 . Sexually dimorphic. Males have a costal bulge along front of the FW and two elongate oval windows on the FW which can appear translucent. ♂ ♀
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
Heppner (2003) ( 5 ) reported the range to include eastern North America Ontario and Minnesota to Florida ( 6 ) ; California ( 7 ) and Oregon; Mexico. Most common in the Southwest from southern California to Texas and south to central Mexico. ( 8 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 9 ) , ( 10 ) , ( 11 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is April to October with extended season in the southern areas. ( 8 ) , ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) listed two host plants of the family Gramineae. ( 5 ) Bothriochloa barbinodis (Lag.) Herter (cane bluestem). Triodea fusca ?? Powell & Opler (2009) stated the host is uncertain but probably grasses. ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heliocheilus paradoxus. 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 Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Chuck Sexton , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074
What is Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074?
Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074 (Heliocheilus paradoxus) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074?
Forewing length 11-13 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074?
Grote (1865) original description is online. 329 . Sexually dimorphic. Males have a costal bulge along front of the FW and two elongate oval windows on the FW which can appear translucent. ♂ ♀
Where is Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) ( 5 ) reported the range to include eastern North America Ontario and Minnesota to Florida ( 6 ) ; California ( 7 ) and Oregon; Mexico. Most common in the Southwest from southern California to Texas and south to central Mexico. ( 8 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 9 ) , ( 10 ) , ( 11 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074 eat?
The diet of the Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074 includes Heppner (2003) listed two host plants of the family Gramineae. ( 5 ) Bothriochloa barbinodis (Lag.) Herter (cane bluestem). Triodea fusca ?? Powell & Opler (2009) stated the host is uncertain but probably grasses. ( 4 ).
When is Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074 active?
Paradoxical Grass Moth - Hodges#11074: seasonal activity - The main flight period is April to October with extended season in the southern areas. ( 8 ) , ( 4 ).