Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436
Mythimna oxygala
This record describes Mythimna oxygala (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: FW uniformly light tan or yellowish, evenly striated with thin brown lines between veins and three black spots arranged in triangular pattern in middle of wing. Whitish streak extending through central median area, diverges at black reniform spot. ST is accentuate with two black dots. HW dirty white with dark streaks along veins in middle of wing (a diagnostic feature) Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larvae: see Godfrey, 1972, p. 87 & Wagner, 2011, p. 508 The genus Aletia has been dissolved. The two North American species formerly in this genus are now included in Mythimna (see taxonomic notes by Lafontaine and Troubridge ).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Leucaniini
- Genus
- Mythimna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
fields, meadows, open grassy areas; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
much of North America, including Northwest Territories; absent from Alaska, Yukon, Nunavut, and the southeastern states
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on grasses, sedges, and chickory
Life History
two or three generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mythimna oxygala. 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 Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert Lord Zimlich , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436
What is Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436?
Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436 (Mythimna oxygala) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436?
Adult: FW uniformly light tan or yellowish, evenly striated with thin brown lines between veins and three black spots arranged in triangular pattern in middle of wing. Whitish streak extending through central median area, diverges at black reniform spot. ST is accentuate with two black dots. HW dirty white with dark streaks along veins in middle of wing (a diagnostic feature) Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larvae: see Godfrey, 1972, p. 87 & Wagner, 2011, p. 508
Where is Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | fields, meadows, open grassy areas; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | much of North America, including Northwest Territories; absent from Alaska, Yukon, Nunavut, and the southeastern states |
What does Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436 eat?
The diet of the Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436 includes larvae feed on grasses, sedges, and chickory.
When is Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436 active?
Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to October.
What is the life cycle of a Lesser Wainscot - Hodges#10436?
two or three generations per year