Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894
Lithophane oriunda
This record describes Lithophane oriunda (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark brown with tan strip and dark markings along costa; reniform and orbicular spots with pale perimeter; reniform spot pale in upper half and dark in lower half; orbicular spot oblique and completely filled by ground color; claviform spot represented by black rounded V-shaped line extending into median area; subterminal line pale, irregular; hindwing grayish-brown with dark veins and discal spot Larva: early instars green with white lines and tubercles; older instars brown or gray with mottled pattern
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
northeastern United States plus Quebec and Ontario
Seasonal Activity
adults usually seen in spring (late March to late May) but may also be found in fall and rarely in winter
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana )
Life History
overwinters as an adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithophane oriunda. 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 Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , JoAnneRusso , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894
What is Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894?
Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894 (Lithophane oriunda) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894?
wingspan about 34 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894?
Adult: forewing dark brown with tan strip and dark markings along costa; reniform and orbicular spots with pale perimeter; reniform spot pale in upper half and dark in lower half; orbicular spot oblique and completely filled by ground color; claviform spot represented by black rounded V-shaped line extending into median area; subterminal line pale, irregular; hindwing grayish-brown with dark veins and discal spot Larva: early instars green with white lines and tubercles; older instars brown or gray with mottled pattern
Where is Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894 found?
Range: northeastern United States plus Quebec and Ontario
What does Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894 eat?
The diet of the Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894 includes larvae feed on leaves of Chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana ).
When is Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894 active?
Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894: seasonal activity - adults usually seen in spring (late March to late May) but may also be found in fall and rarely in winter.
What is the life cycle of a Immigrant Pinion - Hodges#9894?
overwinters as an adult