Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077
Heliothis ononis
This record describes Heliothis ononis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light brown with darker reddish-brown scaling at base and on shoulders (tegulae); dark brown median band incorporates large black reniform spot; subterminal band dark, narrower in the middle; fringe reddish-brown; hindwing white with large black discal crescent and broad black terminal band containing pale double spot about midway along outer margin; fringe white
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
Habitat
grasslands, meadows, agricultural fields, roadsides, clearings
Geographic Range
Alaska to Northwest Territories and Manitoba, south to Colorado also occurs in Eurasia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on seeds of flax ( Linum spp.)
Life History
Eggs are deposited in open flowers of foodplant. Early larval instars feed from within the seedhead on developing seed; later instars feed from outside the seedhead.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heliothis ononis. 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 Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077
What is Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077?
Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077 (Heliothis ononis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077?
wingspan 24-26 mm
How do you identify Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077?
Adult: forewing light brown with darker reddish-brown scaling at base and on shoulders (tegulae); dark brown median band incorporates large black reniform spot; subterminal band dark, narrower in the middle; fringe reddish-brown; hindwing white with large black discal crescent and broad black terminal band containing pale double spot about midway along outer margin; fringe white
Where is Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | grasslands, meadows, agricultural fields, roadsides, clearings |
| Range | Alaska to Northwest Territories and Manitoba, south to Colorado also occurs in Eurasia |
What does Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077 eat?
The diet of the Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077 includes larvae feed on seeds of flax ( Linum spp.).
When is Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077 active?
Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to July.
What is the life cycle of a Flax Bollworm Moth - Hodges#11077?
Eggs are deposited in open flowers of foodplant. Early larval instars feed from within the seedhead on developing seed; later instars feed from outside the seedhead.