Heliothis belladonna - Hodges#11080
Heliothis belladonna
This record describes Heliothis belladonna (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Edwards (1881) original description as Melicleptria belladonna is online in the print references. diurnal Males of Heliothis belladonna have been captured in traps baited with commercial pheromone lures placed for Helicoverpa zea (Corn earworm moth). ( 7 )
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
California and Arizona to Washington and Wyoming. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet translates to beautiful gift.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heliothis belladonna. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heliothis belladonna - Hodges#11080
What is Heliothis belladonna - Hodges#11080?
Heliothis belladonna - Hodges#11080 (Heliothis belladonna) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Heliothis belladonna - Hodges#11080?
Wingspan averages 33 mm. (Edwards)
How do you identify Heliothis belladonna - Hodges#11080?
Edwards (1881) original description as Melicleptria belladonna is online in the print references.
Where is Heliothis belladonna - Hodges#11080 found?
Range: California and Arizona to Washington and Wyoming. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.