Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464
Hypena modestoides
This record describes Hypena modestoides (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hypena modestoides has a pale band beyond the postmedian line. The postmedian line is more oblique than in H. californica and has a large tooth projecting towards the wing base near the inner margin. The forewing has a slight falcate ( 5 ) apex. There is often a black bar between the reniform and orbicular spots. Both sexes have simple antennae.
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 and northern Arizona. , Smith first described the species from specimens collected in Los Angeles, California.
Seasonal Activity
Hypena modestoides appears to be most common from June to August, but there are records for most months from California. ( 6 ) , ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host plant is Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypena modestoides. 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 Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by JohnMaxwell22 , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464
What is Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464?
Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464 (Hypena modestoides) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464?
The forewing length is 16-17 mm. Smith listed the wingspan as 24-29 mm.
How do you identify Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464?
Hypena modestoides has a pale band beyond the postmedian line. The postmedian line is more oblique than in H. californica and has a large tooth projecting towards the wing base near the inner margin. The forewing has a slight falcate ( 5 ) apex. There is often a black bar between the reniform and orbicular spots. Both sexes have simple antennae.
Where is Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464 found?
Range: British Columbia to southern California and northern Arizona. , Smith first described the species from specimens collected in Los Angeles, California.
What does Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464 eat?
The diet of the Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464 includes The larval host plant is Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle)..
When is Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464 active?
Hypena modestoides - Hodges#8464: seasonal activity - Hypena modestoides appears to be most common from June to August, but there are records for most months from California. ( 6 ) , ( 4 ).