Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637
Magusa orbifera
This record describes Magusa orbifera (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Smaller than Magusa divaricata, which is widespread in North America The widespread Magusa divaricata was once included as a synonym of M. orbifera. References to M. orbifera outside of Florida in North America refer to what is now known as M. divaricata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Dypterygiini
- Genus
- Magusa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
"South Florida from about Miami down through the Keys and Caribbean Islands. Magusa outside this area in North America are 9637.1 - Magusa divaricata."
Seasonal Activity
Year-round in South Florida
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Magusa orbifera. 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 Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Paul Dennehy; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637
What is Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637?
Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637 (Magusa orbifera) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637?
Smaller than Magusa divaricata, which is widespread in North America
Where is Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637 found?
Range: South Florida from about Miami down through the Keys and Caribbean Islands. Magusa outside this area in North America are 9637.1 - Magusa divaricata.
When is Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637 active?
Tropical Narrow-wing - Hodges#9637: seasonal activity - Year-round in South Florida.