Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057
Homophoberia apicosa
This record describes Homophoberia apicosa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark gray or blackish except for broad pale terminal band and pale oblique reniform spot; terminal band may be pinkish, whitish, or cream-colored; hindwing whitish with grayish-brown shading and black dot at outer margin
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Condicinae
- Tribe
- Condicini
- Genus
- Homophoberia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern North America: Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from March to October in the south; May to September in the north
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on smartweed ( Polygonum spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Homophoberia apicosa. 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 Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , KenW , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057
What is Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057?
Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057 (Homophoberia apicosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057?
wingspan 21-27 mm
How do you identify Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057?
Adult: forewing dark gray or blackish except for broad pale terminal band and pale oblique reniform spot; terminal band may be pinkish, whitish, or cream-colored; hindwing whitish with grayish-brown shading and black dot at outer margin
Where is Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057 found?
Range: eastern North America: Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba
What does Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057 eat?
The diet of the Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057 includes larvae feed on smartweed ( Polygonum spp.).
When is Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057 active?
Black Wedge-Spot - Hodges#9057: seasonal activity - adults fly from March to October in the south; May to September in the north.