LepidopteraErebidae

Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468

Hemeroplanis punitalis

This record describes Hemeroplanis punitalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 - Hemeroplanis punitalis
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Erebidae
Subfamily
Boletobiinae
Tribe
Phytometrini
Genus
Hemeroplanis

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southern California to Texas. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 )

Seasonal Activity

Adults are most common from March to October.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hemeroplanis punitalis. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 (5)

Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 - photo 1
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton
Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 - photo 2
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton
Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 - photo 3
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton
Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 - photo 4
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton
Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 - photo 5
Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton

Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton

Frequently Asked Questions About Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468

How big is Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468?

Wingspan 25-30 mm.

Where is Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 found?

Range: Southern California to Texas. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 )

When is Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468 active?

Hemeroplanis punitalis - Hodges#8468: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from March to October..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.