Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885
Lithophane semiusta
This record describes Lithophane semiusta (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
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Lithophane (Pinions)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous woodlands and gardens. ( 3 )
Geographic Range
Northeastern North America. Type Locality: Canada ( J. Pettit ).
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly October to mid-May. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on chokecherry, basswood and popular. Also, trembling aspen. ( 3 )
Life History
According to Handfield (1999), this species overwinters as an adult.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet semiusta from Latin meaning "half-scorched, singed."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithophane semiusta. 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 Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885
How big is Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885?
Total length 18 mm. ( 3 )
Where is Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous woodlands and gardens. ( 3 ) |
| Range | Northeastern North America. Type Locality: Canada ( J. Pettit ). |
What does Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885 eat?
The diet of the Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885 includes The larvae feed on chokecherry, basswood and popular. Also, trembling aspen. ( 3 ).
When is Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885 active?
Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885: seasonal activity - Adults fly October to mid-May. ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Singed Pinion - Hodges#9885?
According to Handfield (1999), this species overwinters as an adult.