Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334
Idia lubricalis
This record describes Idia lubricalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to, but larger than, the Smoky Idia, I. scobialis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Herminiinae
- Genus
- Idia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous forests
Geographic Range
Includes eastern North America
Seasonal Activity
May-September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults come to moth bait.
Life History
Larvae feed on lichen, rotting wood, grass, other organic matter. Caterpillar overwinters, one generation per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: From Latin lubric "smooth, slippery" ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Idia lubricalis. 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 Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Jason D. Roberts , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334
What is Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334?
Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334 (Idia lubricalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334?
WS 24-36 mm
How do you identify Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334?
Similar to, but larger than, the Smoky Idia, I. scobialis.
Where is Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous forests |
| Range | Includes eastern North America |
What does Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334 eat?
The diet of the Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334 includes Adults come to moth bait..
When is Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334 active?
Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334: seasonal activity - May-September.
What is the life cycle of a Glossy Black Idia - Hodges#8334?
Larvae feed on lichen, rotting wood, grass, other organic matter. Caterpillar overwinters, one generation per year.