Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293
Melanchra picta
This record describes Melanchra picta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: head, thorax, and forewing deep reddish-brown; upper half of forewing dark brown from base to reniform spot; reniform spot gray-filled and indistinct; broken whitish subterminal line is only line clearly visible hindwing white with narrow brown band at outer margin Larva: two broad yellow horizontal stripes run along each side of body, separated by vertical black and white lines; head orange to bright red; legs and underside pink
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Hadenini
- Genus
- Melanchra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
fields, vegetable gardens, waste places
Geographic Range
southern half of Canada and northern half of United States
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to September larvae from June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on alfalfa, cabbage, carrot, clover, dandelion, dock ( Rumex spp.), pea, pigweed ( Amaranthus spp.), strawberry, sweetfern, blackberry, blueberry, hazel, apple, birch, cherry, plum, willow
Life History
one generation per year in west; two or more generations in east; overwinters either as a pupa (in east) or partially-grown larva (in west)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Melanchra picta. 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 Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler
Frequently Asked Questions About Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293
What is Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293?
Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293 (Melanchra picta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293?
wingspan 30-42 mm larvae to 30 mm
How do you identify Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293?
Adult: head, thorax, and forewing deep reddish-brown; upper half of forewing dark brown from base to reniform spot; reniform spot gray-filled and indistinct; broken whitish subterminal line is only line clearly visible hindwing white with narrow brown band at outer margin Larva: two broad yellow horizontal stripes run along each side of body, separated by vertical black and white lines; head orange to bright red; legs and underside pink
Where is Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | fields, vegetable gardens, waste places |
| Range | southern half of Canada and northern half of United States |
What does Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293 eat?
The diet of the Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293 includes larvae feed on alfalfa, cabbage, carrot, clover, dandelion, dock ( Rumex spp.), pea, pigweed ( Amaranthus spp.), strawberry, sweetfern, blackberry, blueberry, hazel, apple, birch, cherry, plum, willow.
When is Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293 active?
Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to September larvae from June to September.
What is the life cycle of a Zebra Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#10293?
one generation per year in west; two or more generations in east; overwinters either as a pupa (in east) or partially-grown larva (in west)