Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1
Heliothis acesias
This record describes Heliothis acesias (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing median band is curved at the reniform compared to sharply angled in Heliothis phloxiphaga . |
| Hindwing | Hindwing is pale yellow or bright yellow-orange with a large black curved discal mark. There is a black terminal band which has a oblong yellow spot midway. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Heliothinae
- Genus
- Heliothis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Hardwick reported the range as Alberta and Ontario, south to southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada. Moth Photographers Group extends the range to Nova Scotia, south to about Indiana. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults appear to be most common from May to September. Hardwick recorded adults from mid June through September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Probably the flowers of Asters, and possibly also some of the same host plants as H. phloxiphaga ( 5 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heliothis acesias. 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 Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1
What is Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1?
Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1 (Heliothis acesias) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1?
Forewing length 15-16 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing median band is curved at the reniform compared to sharply angled in Heliothis phloxiphaga . |
| Hindwing | Hindwing is pale yellow or bright yellow-orange with a large black curved discal mark. There is a black terminal band which has a oblong yellow spot midway. |
Where is Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1 found?
Range: Hardwick reported the range as Alberta and Ontario, south to southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada. Moth Photographers Group extends the range to Nova Scotia, south to about Indiana. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1 eat?
The diet of the Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1 includes Probably the flowers of Asters, and possibly also some of the same host plants as H. phloxiphaga ( 5 ).
When is Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1 active?
Heliothis acesias - Hodges#11072.1: seasonal activity - Adults appear to be most common from May to September. Hardwick recorded adults from mid June through September..