LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361

Melanapamea mixta

This record describes Melanapamea mixta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 - Melanapamea mixta
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Specimen identified by Lars Crabo. photo soon! more information soon!

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Apameini
Genus
Melanapamea

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Seasonal Activity

The adults are most common from May to September. ( 3 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: The larval host plant is unknown but grasses (Poaceae) are likley based on the related species.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Melanapamea mixta. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 (5)

Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361

What is Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361?

Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 (Melanapamea mixta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361?

The forewing length is 15–18 mm.

How do you identify Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361?

Specimen identified by Lars Crabo. photo soon!

What does Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 eat?

The diet of the Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 includes The larval host plant is unknown but grasses (Poaceae) are likley based on the related species..

When is Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361 active?

Melanapamea mixta - Hodges#9361: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from May to September. ( 3 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.