Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2
Mesogona subcuprea
This record describes Mesogona subcuprea (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Detailed description is available in the Mesogona revision that is linked in citations below. From the key to adults in the revision, the thorax and forewings of subcuprea are yellow-brown with orbicular and reniform spots strongly outlined; the hindwing are uniform copper-colored or reddish without gray scales. Later comments attributed to Lars Crabo here on BugGuide have subcuprea with pinkish forewings possible.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Mesogona
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
west coast states - Washington south to southern California
Seasonal Activity
August to early October
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mesogona subcuprea. 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 Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2
What is Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2?
Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2 (Mesogona subcuprea) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2?
forewing length 19-21 mm
How do you identify Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2?
Detailed description is available in the Mesogona revision that is linked in citations below. From the key to adults in the revision, the thorax and forewings of subcuprea are yellow-brown with orbicular and reniform spots strongly outlined; the hindwing are uniform copper-colored or reddish without gray scales. Later comments attributed to Lars Crabo here on BugGuide have subcuprea with pinkish forewings possible.
Where is Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2 found?
Range: west coast states - Washington south to southern California
When is Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2 active?
Mesogona subcuprea - Hodges#9953.2: seasonal activity - August to early October.