Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582
Nedra ramosula
This record describes Nedra ramosula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing streaked with silver-gray, brown, and white on black background; orbicular spot elongated, outlined in black and filled with brownish-gray; reniform spot partially outlined in white, especially around lower end, and filled with brown [adapted from description by Lynn Scott]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Actinotiini
- Genus
- Nedra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Manitoba to Newfoundland, south to Florida, west to Texas
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to September in Ontario, April to October in Ohio
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Saint Johnswort ( Hypericum spp.)
Life History
Larva; larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nedra ramosula. 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 Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582
What is Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582?
Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582 (Nedra ramosula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582?
wingspan 28-48 mm
How do you identify Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582?
forewing streaked with silver-gray, brown, and white on black background; orbicular spot elongated, outlined in black and filled with brownish-gray; reniform spot partially outlined in white, especially around lower end, and filled with brown [adapted from description by Lynn Scott]
Where is Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582 found?
Range: Manitoba to Newfoundland, south to Florida, west to Texas
What does Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582 eat?
The diet of the Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582 includes larvae feed on Saint Johnswort ( Hypericum spp.).
When is Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582 active?
Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to September in Ontario, April to October in Ohio.
What is the life cycle of a Gray Half-Spot - Hodges#9582?
Larva; larva; adult