Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072
Heliothis phloxiphaga
This record describes Heliothis phloxiphaga (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A medium-sized light yellow-brown or tan moth with darker markings. There is a broad darker brown median band crossing the forewing, which angles sharply inward at the lower end of the large blackish reniform, and a dark triangular patch near the apex. The hindwing is dirty white or very pale buff with a large dark thick discal crescent and a broad black terminal band with a pale, split spot at the anal angle. The very similar H. acesias has a yellowish (not buff) hindwing, less contrast on the forewing, and the forewing median band is not as sharply angled. There are also genitalic differences (see Hardwick, 1994). H. ononis is significantly smaller, less yellow and lacks most of the fine spotting on the forewing found in phloxiphagus . H. oregonica is smaller and darker. Genitalia:
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
Wooded edges, meadows, and other open areas
Geographic Range
Across the US and S. Canada. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from March through October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Adults are reported to be both nocturnal and diurnal in activity, and while most often are taken at lights, may be found feeding and ovipositing during the day. Like other species of the genus, the larvae feed on the flowering parts and seeds of the host. Life cycle images: larva; larva; larva; pupa; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heliothis phloxiphaga. 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 Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cotinis , Jason D. Roberts , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich , Chris Grinter , marcie oconnor , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072
What is Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072?
Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072 (Heliothis phloxiphaga) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072?
Wingspan 30-38 mm.
How do you identify Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072?
A medium-sized light yellow-brown or tan moth with darker markings. There is a broad darker brown median band crossing the forewing, which angles sharply inward at the lower end of the large blackish reniform, and a dark triangular patch near the apex. The hindwing is dirty white or very pale buff with a large dark thick discal crescent and a broad black terminal band with a pale, split spot at the anal angle. The very similar H. acesias has a yellowish (not buff) hindwing, less contrast on the forewing, and the forewing median band is not as sharply angled. There are also genitalic differences (see Hardwick, 1994). H. ononis is significantly smaller, less yellow and lacks most of the fine spotting on the forewing found in phloxiphagus . H. oregonica is smaller and darker. Genitalia:
Where is Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wooded edges, meadows, and other open areas |
| Range | Across the US and S. Canada. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
When is Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072 active?
Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072: seasonal activity - Most records are from March through October..
What is the life cycle of a Darker-spotted Straw Moth - Hodges#11072?
Adults are reported to be both nocturnal and diurnal in activity, and while most often are taken at lights, may be found feeding and ovipositing during the day. Like other species of the genus, the larvae feed on the flowering parts and seeds of the host. Life cycle images: larva; larva; larva; pupa; adult