Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1
Lithophane thujae
This record describes Lithophane thujae (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
Geographic Range
Webster & Thomas reported the range to include south central New Brunswick, northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin. They further stated the range likely includes other areas wher the host plant is found.
Seasonal Activity
Webster & Thomas collected specimens during April to early June, and October. Moth Photographers Group records March-April, September-October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Webster & Thomas reported Thujae occidentalis (northern white-cedar).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Webster & Thomas stated "The specific epithet thujae is named after the name of the genus of the probable host plant of this species."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lithophane thujae. 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 Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1
Where is Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1 found?
Range: Webster & Thomas reported the range to include south central New Brunswick, northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin. They further stated the range likely includes other areas wher the host plant is found.
What does Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1 eat?
The diet of the Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1 includes Webster & Thomas reported Thujae occidentalis (northern white-cedar)..
When is Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1 active?
Cedar Pinion - Hodges#9899.1: seasonal activity - Webster & Thomas collected specimens during April to early June, and October. Moth Photographers Group records March-April, September-October..