Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943
Metaxaglaea inulta
This record describes Metaxaglaea inulta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brown FW often has violet sheen when fresh. Purplish AM & PM curve gently inward near costa. Hollow orbicular and reniform spots converge and sometimes touch. ST is edged warm brown. HW dark grayish-brown with pale brown fringe.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Metaxaglaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
shrubby woodlands where food plants grow
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to Missouri, north to Manitoba
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from late August to November
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Viburnum species: Southern Arrowwood ( V. dentatum ), Nannyberry ( V. lentago ), Wayfaringtree ( V. lantana ), and several other species
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Metaxaglaea inulta. 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 Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Boone; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Robert Lord Zimlich , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943
What is Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943?
Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943 (Metaxaglaea inulta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943?
wingspan 40-48 mm
How do you identify Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943?
Brown FW often has violet sheen when fresh. Purplish AM & PM curve gently inward near costa. Hollow orbicular and reniform spots converge and sometimes touch. ST is edged warm brown. HW dark grayish-brown with pale brown fringe.
Where is Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | shrubby woodlands where food plants grow |
| Range | Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to Missouri, north to Manitoba |
What does Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943 eat?
The diet of the Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943 includes larvae feed on leaves of Viburnum species: Southern Arrowwood ( V. dentatum ), Nannyberry ( V. lentago ), Wayfaringtree ( V. lantana ), and several other species.
When is Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943 active?
Unsated Sallow - Hodges#9943: seasonal activity - adults fly from late August to November.