Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899
Lithophane lemmeri
This record describes Lithophane lemmeri (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
genitalia Conservation Status: G3 - per NatureServe , but that status apparently only applies to populations in the mid-Atlantic coastal area (New Jersey south to South Carolina).
Identification notes
genitalia
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
Habitat
Will be found more widely in the southeastern piedmont and coastal plain. - NatureServe
Geographic Range
New Jersey and Connecticut to Florida and Mississippi are all true Lithophane lemmeri . - NatureServe
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Atlantic white cedar ( Chamaecyparis thyoides ) and red cedar ( Juniperus virginiana ) NatureServe Its apparent abundance in central and west Austin, Texas, suggests that it may also use the closely-related Ashe juniper ( J. ashei ).
Life History
Adults hibernate, and in New Jersey occur from November into April, rarely even May, with mating mostly in March. Larvae are slow growing and occur from late April to late June, with a few into July. NatureServe
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Patronym for Lepidopterist Frederick Lemmer who studied Noctuidae moths in New England.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithophane lemmeri. 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 Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Mike Quinn , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899
What is Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899?
Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899 (Lithophane lemmeri) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899?
wingspan ~40 mm - NatureServe
How do you identify Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899?
genitalia
Where is Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Will be found more widely in the southeastern piedmont and coastal plain. - NatureServe |
| Range | New Jersey and Connecticut to Florida and Mississippi are all true Lithophane lemmeri . - NatureServe |
What does Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899 eat?
The diet of the Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899 includes Atlantic white cedar ( Chamaecyparis thyoides ) and red cedar ( Juniperus virginiana ) NatureServe Its apparent abundance in central and west Austin, Texas, suggests that it may also use the closely-related Ashe juniper ( J. ashei )..
What is the life cycle of a Lemmer's Pinion - Hodges#9899?
Adults hibernate, and in New Jersey occur from November into April, rarely even May, with mating mostly in March. Larvae are slow growing and occur from late April to late June, with a few into July. NatureServe