Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463
Hypena decorata
This record describes Hypena decorata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Smith (1884) original description is available online in the print references. Sexually dimorphic species. The forewing of the males have two white dots near the apex. ( 4 ) Females have a small patch of raised dark scales in the median area. ( 4 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Hypeninae
- Genus
- Hypena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia to southern California. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be April to September; earlier starting flight in California. ( 6 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on various Urtica sp. (nettles). ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypena decorata. 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 Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463
What is Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463?
Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463 (Hypena decorata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463?
Forewing length 13-18 mm. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
How do you identify Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463?
Smith (1884) original description is available online in the print references. Sexually dimorphic species. The forewing of the males have two white dots near the apex. ( 4 ) Females have a small patch of raised dark scales in the median area. ( 4 )
Where is Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463 found?
Range: British Columbia to southern California. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463 eat?
The diet of the Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463 includes The larvae feed on various Urtica sp. (nettles). ( 3 ).
When is Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463 active?
Decorated Hypena - Hodges#8463: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to September; earlier starting flight in California. ( 6 ).