Greater Idia - Hodges#8324
Idia majoralis
This record describes Idia majoralis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Separation from Idia americalis : The subterminal line (nearer to the costa) of majoralis forms a more squared distad point - like a square protrusion, whereas in americalis it is more a of point, like a small bump. Also, in americalis , there is a dark patch on the terminal border of the FW just below the apex, that is not present in majoralis .
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
mostly found in woodrat ( Neotoma ) nests but probably in other habitats too. Woodrats prefer rock outcrops, caves and cliffs but Neotoma floridana also occurs in hardwood forests and swamps and some woodrats occur in deserts
Geographic Range
Massachusetts to Montana south to Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly June through September in most of its range
Diet and Behavior
Life History
larvae live in and pupate inside woodrat nests
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Idia majoralis. 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 Greater Idia - Hodges#8324 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by jforbes , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Greater Idia - Hodges#8324
What is Greater Idia - Hodges#8324?
Greater Idia - Hodges#8324 (Idia majoralis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Greater Idia - Hodges#8324?
wingspan 30 - 35mm
How do you identify Greater Idia - Hodges#8324?
Separation from Idia americalis : The subterminal line (nearer to the costa) of majoralis forms a more squared distad point - like a square protrusion, whereas in americalis it is more a of point, like a small bump. Also, in americalis , there is a dark patch on the terminal border of the FW just below the apex, that is not present in majoralis .
Where is Greater Idia - Hodges#8324 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mostly found in woodrat ( Neotoma ) nests but probably in other habitats too. Woodrats prefer rock outcrops, caves and cliffs but Neotoma floridana also occurs in hardwood forests and swamps and some woodrats occur in deserts |
| Range | Massachusetts to Montana south to Mexico |
When is Greater Idia - Hodges#8324 active?
Greater Idia - Hodges#8324: seasonal activity - adults fly June through September in most of its range.
What is the life cycle of a Greater Idia - Hodges#8324?
larvae live in and pupate inside woodrat nests