Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381
Neodactria caliginosellus
This record describes Neodactria caliginosellus (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark brown to blackish with inconspicuous black PM and subterminal lines; ST line is irregularly jagged with small teeth - a distinctive feature; hindwing dark grayish-brown with pale yellowish fringe Larva: body pale white or gray with dark tubercles
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Crambini
- Genus
- Neodactria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
grassy areas, fields; adults are crepuscular/nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Quebec and New England to Florida, west to South Dakota and California, north to Alberta
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in June and July in Alberta; probably longer season in the south
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on turf grasses and occasionally corn stalks at ground level
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Neodactria caliginosellus. 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 Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381
What is Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381?
Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381 (Neodactria caliginosellus) is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381?
wingspan about 17 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381?
Adult: forewing dark brown to blackish with inconspicuous black PM and subterminal lines; ST line is irregularly jagged with small teeth - a distinctive feature; hindwing dark grayish-brown with pale yellowish fringe Larva: body pale white or gray with dark tubercles
Where is Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | grassy areas, fields; adults are crepuscular/nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Quebec and New England to Florida, west to South Dakota and California, north to Alberta |
What does Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381 eat?
The diet of the Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381 includes larvae feed on turf grasses and occasionally corn stalks at ground level.
When is Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381 active?
Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381: seasonal activity - adults fly in June and July in Alberta; probably longer season in the south.
What is the life cycle of a Black Grass-veneer - Hodges#5381?
one generation per year