LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352

Lasionycta perplexa

This record describes Lasionycta perplexa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 - Lasionycta perplexa
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Detailed description can be found in Crabo & Lafontaine (2009) and at Pacific Northwest Moths at links in citations and references below. ( 3 )

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Eriopygini
Genus
Lasionycta

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

widely distributed from southern Alaska and Yukon to California, Utah and Colorado ( 3 )

Seasonal Activity

mid-June thru August ( 3 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: alder ( Alnus sp.) ( 3 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lasionycta perplexa. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 (5)

Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352

What is Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352?

Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 (Lasionycta perplexa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352?

forewing length: 15-19 mm

How do you identify Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352?

Detailed description can be found in Crabo & Lafontaine (2009) and at Pacific Northwest Moths at links in citations and references below. ( 3 )

Where is Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 found?

Range: widely distributed from southern Alaska and Yukon to California, Utah and Colorado ( 3 )

What does Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 eat?

The diet of the Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 includes alder ( Alnus sp.) ( 3 ).

When is Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352 active?

Lasionycta perplexa - Hodges#10352: seasonal activity - mid-June thru August ( 3 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.