Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922
Lithophane pexata
This record describes Lithophane pexata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark brownish-gray with prominent white strip bordering basal dash, slightly curved as viewed from above; reniform spot large, filled with dull orange; orbicular spot oval, oblique, with rounded top (nearest costa); reniform and orbicular spots outlined in black; short black bar connects bottom of claviform spot with PM line; paler brownish shading inside subterminal line; whitish spot often present near anal angle; hindwing with brownish-gray shading, paler basally, gray discal lunule and dull yellowish fringe
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
riparian areas and sphagnum bogs containing alder
Geographic Range
Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states; apparently absent from Saskatchewan
Seasonal Activity
adults usually seen in early spring and in fall; occasionally active on sunny days in winter
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of alder ( Alnus spp.)
Life History
two generations per year; overwinters as an adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithophane pexata. 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 Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922
What is Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922?
Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922 (Lithophane pexata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922?
wingspan about 37 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922?
Adult: forewing dark brownish-gray with prominent white strip bordering basal dash, slightly curved as viewed from above; reniform spot large, filled with dull orange; orbicular spot oval, oblique, with rounded top (nearest costa); reniform and orbicular spots outlined in black; short black bar connects bottom of claviform spot with PM line; paler brownish shading inside subterminal line; whitish spot often present near anal angle; hindwing with brownish-gray shading, paler basally, gray discal lunule and dull yellowish fringe
Where is Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | riparian areas and sphagnum bogs containing alder |
| Range | Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states; apparently absent from Saskatchewan |
What does Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922 eat?
The diet of the Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922 includes larvae feed on leaves of alder ( Alnus spp.).
When is Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922 active?
Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922: seasonal activity - adults usually seen in early spring and in fall; occasionally active on sunny days in winter.
What is the life cycle of a Plush-naped Pinion - Hodges#9922?
two generations per year; overwinters as an adult