Small Mocis - Hodges#8743
Mocis latipes
This record describes Mocis latipes (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing yellowish-brown variably shaded with darker brown; female usually more yellowish to reddish than male; AM and PM lines nearly straight; look for round subreniform spot, outlined in black, just below reniform spot; some individuals have black spot of variable size along inner margin hindwing yellowish-brown with dark brown shading and two faint lines. [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Euclidiini
- Genus
- Mocis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Fields, grasslands, gardens, open areas.
Geographic Range
Southern Ontario and Quebec to Florida, west to Arizona, north to Minnesota. Also occurs through Central and South America. Bug Guide - range map with monthly record of photos submitted to the guide. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from May through December, but can be found year round in southern areas.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on grasses, including rice and corn; also beans and turnip.
Life History
Life cycle images: larva; larva; pupa in grass shelter; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mocis latipes. 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 Small Mocis - Hodges#8743 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Mocis - Hodges#8743
What is Small Mocis - Hodges#8743?
Small Mocis - Hodges#8743 (Mocis latipes) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Small Mocis - Hodges#8743?
Wingspan 33-43 mm
How do you identify Small Mocis - Hodges#8743?
Adult: forewing yellowish-brown variably shaded with darker brown; female usually more yellowish to reddish than male; AM and PM lines nearly straight; look for round subreniform spot, outlined in black, just below reniform spot; some individuals have black spot of variable size along inner margin hindwing yellowish-brown with dark brown shading and two faint lines. [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Where is Small Mocis - Hodges#8743 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields, grasslands, gardens, open areas. |
| Range | Southern Ontario and Quebec to Florida, west to Arizona, north to Minnesota. Also occurs through Central and South America. Bug Guide - range map with monthly record of photos submitted to the guide. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates. |
What does Small Mocis - Hodges#8743 eat?
The diet of the Small Mocis - Hodges#8743 includes Larvae feed on grasses, including rice and corn; also beans and turnip..
When is Small Mocis - Hodges#8743 active?
Small Mocis - Hodges#8743: seasonal activity - Adults fly from May through December, but can be found year round in southern areas..
What is the life cycle of a Small Mocis - Hodges#8743?
Life cycle images: larva; larva; pupa in grass shelter; adult