Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444
Hypena palparia
This record describes Hypena palparia (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing with large dark brown median patch that extends to inner margin (often lighter brown toward inner margin); basal and outer parts of forewing paler, mottled (pale areas darker in male than in female; female shows greater contrast between dark median area and pale subterminal area); apical dash broken; hindwing variably light to dark grayish-brown.
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
Habitat
Mature mixed and deciduous woods; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Geographic Range
All of United States and southern Canada (Nova Scotia to Florida , west to California , north to British Columbia); however, the species name does not appear on moth lists from Arizona and Texas ( 1 , 2 , 3 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from April to October in the south; May to August in Ohio; June and July in Alberta.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include: ( 4 ) Hop-Hornbeam, Ostrya virginiana Hazel, Corylus spp.
Life History
Two generations per year. Larva; larva; pupa; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypena palparia. 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 Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444
What is Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444?
Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444 (Hypena palparia) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444?
Wingspan 27-33 mm.
How do you identify Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444?
Adult: forewing with large dark brown median patch that extends to inner margin (often lighter brown toward inner margin); basal and outer parts of forewing paler, mottled (pale areas darker in male than in female; female shows greater contrast between dark median area and pale subterminal area); apical dash broken; hindwing variably light to dark grayish-brown.
Where is Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mature mixed and deciduous woods; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. |
| Range | All of United States and southern Canada (Nova Scotia to Florida , west to California , north to British Columbia); however, the species name does not appear on moth lists from Arizona and Texas ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) |
What does Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444 eat?
The diet of the Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444 includes Larval hosts include: ( 4 ) Hop-Hornbeam, Ostrya virginiana Hazel, Corylus spp..
When is Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444 active?
Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444: seasonal activity - Adults fly from April to October in the south; May to August in Ohio; June and July in Alberta..
What is the life cycle of a Mottled Hypena - Hodges#8444?
Two generations per year. Larva; larva; pupa; adult