Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989
Nola pustulata
This record describes Nola pustulata (species). Recorded family: Nolidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description as Erastria pustulata Walker, is available online in the print references below.
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
Usually bogs and swamps.
Geographic Range
Massachusetts to Florida west to Missouri and Texas. , , , , , ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from April thru July. Heppner (2003) reports May to July for Florida. ( 8 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) reports larval host unknown. ( 8 ) McCabe (1996) reports larvae reared on Lyonia ligustrina (L.) DC. (maleberry). ( 9 )
Life History
McCabe (1996) describes larva, and life cycle. ( 9 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nola pustulata. 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 Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989
What is Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989?
Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989 (Nola pustulata) is a species in the family Nolidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989?
Wingspan approximately 18 mm.
How do you identify Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989?
The original description as Erastria pustulata Walker, is available online in the print references below.
Where is Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Usually bogs and swamps. |
| Range | Massachusetts to Florida west to Missouri and Texas. , , , , , |
What does Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989 eat?
The diet of the Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989 includes Heppner (2003) reports larval host unknown. ( 8 ) McCabe (1996) reports larvae reared on Lyonia ligustrina (L.) DC. (maleberry). ( 9 ).
When is Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989 active?
Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from April thru July. Heppner (2003) reports May to July for Florida. ( 8 ).
What is the life cycle of a Sharp-blotched Nola Moth - Hodges#8989?
McCabe (1996) describes larva, and life cycle. ( 9 )