Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642
Hypocala andremona
This record describes Hypocala andremona (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown to gray with diffuse speckling; reniform spot either dark gray or barely noticeable; ST line composed of two joined arcs, touching outer margin at the point where they join; small pale patch may be present in terminal area near anal angle, and also midway along inner margin; hindwing black with large irregular yellow or orange pattern on inner half, and partial terminal band of the same color. the subfamily placement of the genus Hypocala is uncertain: Poole (1989) placed it in subfamily Ophiderinae, treated as subfamily Calpinae by Kitching & Rawlins, in Kristensen (1999) [see Butterflies and Moths of the World ]; it was placed in subfamily Catocalinae by Troubridge and Lafontaine (2004), and provisionally placed in subfamily Erebinae [as incertae sedis ]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Hypocalinae
- Genus
- Hypocala
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern United States from California to Florida but apparently most common in Texas. An irregular wanderer farther north, occasionally to mid-latitude states, and rarely to northern states and southern Ontaria. , , , , South and Central America, Mexico, Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from May through October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of persimmon. ( Diospyros spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypocala andremona. 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 Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642
What is Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642?
Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642 (Hypocala andremona) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642?
Wingspan 43-49 mm.
How do you identify Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642?
Adult: forewing brown to gray with diffuse speckling; reniform spot either dark gray or barely noticeable; ST line composed of two joined arcs, touching outer margin at the point where they join; small pale patch may be present in terminal area near anal angle, and also midway along inner margin; hindwing black with large irregular yellow or orange pattern on inner half, and partial terminal band of the same color.
Where is Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642 found?
Range: Southern United States from California to Florida but apparently most common in Texas. An irregular wanderer farther north, occasionally to mid-latitude states, and rarely to northern states and southern Ontaria. , , , , South and Central America, Mexico, Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates.
What does Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642 eat?
The diet of the Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642 includes Larvae feed on leaves of persimmon. ( Diospyros spp.).
When is Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642 active?
Hypocala Moth - Hodges#8642: seasonal activity - Most records are from May through October..