Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299
Lacanobia subjuncta
This record describes Lacanobia subjuncta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing purplish-gray with reddish-brown shading; AM and PM lines double, scalloped; black bar runs from outer end of claviform spot to PM line; basal dash black, curving toward orbicular spot at outer end; ST line with W shape near middle, containing two black streaks that extend toward PM line; subterminal area may be lighter than remainder of wing, but not conspicuously so hindwing light yellowish-gray with prominent dark veins Larva: early instars light green with white lateral stripe; later instars light brown with darker markings on dorsal surface Larvae in orchards will remain in trees during the day, unlike other cutworms which return to the ground and only feed in trees at night. They eat entire leaves and may also excavate holes in fruit.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Hadenini
- Genus
- Lacanobia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
gardens, fields; may be a pest in orchards
Geographic Range
coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States, south in the west to California and Arizona
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to September larvae present in June and again in August and September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on various plants, including apple, asparagus, blueberry, cabbage, cherry, corn, maple, pear, poplar, willow
Life History
two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa in soil; adults emerge in May and June Larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lacanobia subjuncta. 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 Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Blocky , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299
What is Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299?
Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299 (Lacanobia subjuncta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299?
wingspan 34-50 mm
How do you identify Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299?
Adult: forewing purplish-gray with reddish-brown shading; AM and PM lines double, scalloped; black bar runs from outer end of claviform spot to PM line; basal dash black, curving toward orbicular spot at outer end; ST line with W shape near middle, containing two black streaks that extend toward PM line; subterminal area may be lighter than remainder of wing, but not conspicuously so hindwing light yellowish-gray with prominent dark veins Larva: early instars light green with white lateral stripe; later instars light brown with darker markings on dorsal surface
Where is Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | gardens, fields; may be a pest in orchards |
| Range | coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States, south in the west to California and Arizona |
What does Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299 eat?
The diet of the Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299 includes larvae feed on various plants, including apple, asparagus, blueberry, cabbage, cherry, corn, maple, pear, poplar, willow.
When is Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299 active?
Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to September larvae present in June and again in August and September.
What is the life cycle of a Speckled Cutworm - Hodges#10299?
two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa in soil; adults emerge in May and June Larva; adult