Lithacodia n. sp.
Lithacodia undescribed
This record describes Lithacodia undescribed (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Eustrotiinae
- Genus
- Lithacodia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Seem to be associated with high quality, mature Cane Grass ( Arundinaria ) habitat .
Geographic Range
Have been found from North Carolina to western Florida along the coast (Bo Sullivan, pers. comm. 2017).
Seasonal Activity
On the wing in early June and again in August (Bo Sullivan, pers. comm. 2017).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Arundinaria has been searched extensively for caterpillars by Eric Quinter (AMNH) without finding any caterpillars, therefore this undescribed species probably feeds on other plant species that grow in the same habitat .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithacodia undescribed. 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 Lithacodia n. sp. (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Lithacodia n. sp.
Where is Lithacodia n. sp. found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Seem to be associated with high quality, mature Cane Grass ( Arundinaria ) habitat . |
| Range | Have been found from North Carolina to western Florida along the coast (Bo Sullivan, pers. comm. 2017). |
What does Lithacodia n. sp. eat?
The diet of the Lithacodia n. sp. includes Arundinaria has been searched extensively for caterpillars by Eric Quinter (AMNH) without finding any caterpillars, therefore this undescribed species probably feeds on other plant species that grow in the same habitat ..
When is Lithacodia n. sp. active?
Lithacodia n. sp.: seasonal activity - On the wing in early June and again in August (Bo Sullivan, pers. comm. 2017)..