Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993
Nola minna
This record describes Nola minna (species). Recorded family: Nolidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light gray with black spot near middle of AM line and black basal strip along costa; PM and subterminal lines jagged, indistinct; darker gray shading beyond subterminal line; hindwing dirty white with light gray shading along veins Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva: yellowish with tufts of black hair on each abdominal segment, and only three pairs of mid-abdominal prolegs
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Nolidae (Nolid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Nolinae
- Genus
- Nola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
wet western forests
Geographic Range
Northwest Territories and British Columbia, south to California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in spring
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of alder ( Alnus spp.) and Ceanothus
Life History
pupates in a small cocoon on the side of a twig
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nola minna. 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 Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Ethan Kistler , James Bailey , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993
What is Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993?
Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993 (Nola minna) is a species in the family Nolidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993?
wingspan about 23 mm, based on specimen by Jeff Miller at USGS
How do you identify Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993?
Adult: forewing light gray with black spot near middle of AM line and black basal strip along costa; PM and subterminal lines jagged, indistinct; darker gray shading beyond subterminal line; hindwing dirty white with light gray shading along veins Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva: yellowish with tufts of black hair on each abdominal segment, and only three pairs of mid-abdominal prolegs
Where is Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet western forests |
| Range | Northwest Territories and British Columbia, south to California |
What does Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993 eat?
The diet of the Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993 includes larvae feed on leaves of alder ( Alnus spp.) and Ceanothus.
When is Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993 active?
Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993: seasonal activity - adults fly in spring.
What is the life cycle of a Ceanothus Nola Moth - Hodges#8993?
pupates in a small cocoon on the side of a twig