Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920
Lithophane itata
This record describes Lithophane itata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920 (Lithophane itata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae, tribe Xylenini, superfamily Noctuoidea. This species belongs to the genus Lithophane (Pinions). As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: Smith listed the wingspan as 35-37 mm.. Active during The adults emerge in the fall and overwinter. The adults are most commonly collected in may and June..
Identification notes
Determined by Lars Crabo.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Lithophane (Pinions)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California to Colorado, north to Montana and British Columbia. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults emerge in the fall and overwinter. The adults are most commonly collected in may and June. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Lithophane itata has been reared on Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. (Rocky Mountain juniper). ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithophane itata. 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 Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920
What is Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920?
Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920 (Lithophane itata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920?
Smith listed the wingspan as 35-37 mm.
How do you identify Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920?
Determined by Lars Crabo.
Where is Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920 found?
Range: California to Colorado, north to Montana and British Columbia. ( 3 )
What does Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920 eat?
The diet of the Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920 includes Lithophane itata has been reared on Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. (Rocky Mountain juniper). ( 3 ).
When is Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920 active?
Lithophane itata - Hodges#9920: seasonal activity - The adults emerge in the fall and overwinter. The adults are most commonly collected in may and June. ( 4 ).