Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448
Hypena sordidula
This record describes Hypena sordidula (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: male forewing dark grayish-brown; AM, PM, and ST lines wavy, indistinct, contrasting little against ground color; median area uniformly colored (not darker toward PM line, as in Gray-edged Bomolocha); small pale spot where PM line meets costa, and speckled wedge of slightly paler color at apex; hindwing dark grayish-brown; female similar but paler, with distinctly paler terminal area of forewing, and lighter hindwing
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
deciduous woods, riparian areas
Geographic Range
Quebec and Maine to northern Florida, west to Louisiana and Kansas, north to Manitoba
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Woodnettle ( Laportea )
Life History
one generation per year Life cycle images: final instar caterpillar, adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypena sordidula. 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 Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , marcie oconnor , Kyhl Austin , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448
What is Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448?
Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448 (Hypena sordidula) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448?
wingspan 24-30 mm
How do you identify Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448?
Adult: male forewing dark grayish-brown; AM, PM, and ST lines wavy, indistinct, contrasting little against ground color; median area uniformly colored (not darker toward PM line, as in Gray-edged Bomolocha); small pale spot where PM line meets costa, and speckled wedge of slightly paler color at apex; hindwing dark grayish-brown; female similar but paler, with distinctly paler terminal area of forewing, and lighter hindwing
Where is Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | deciduous woods, riparian areas |
| Range | Quebec and Maine to northern Florida, west to Louisiana and Kansas, north to Manitoba |
What does Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448 eat?
The diet of the Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448 includes Woodnettle ( Laportea ).
When is Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448 active?
Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to August.
What is the life cycle of a Sordid Hypena - Hodges#8448?
one generation per year Life cycle images: final instar caterpillar, adult