Grey Midget - Hodges#8977
Nycteola cinereana
This record describes Nycteola cinereana (species). Recorded family: Nolidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Genitalia: ♀ ♂ ... Nycteola cinereana is a Poplar feeder and mainly occurs in boreal habitats. It occurs across Canada and southward in the mountains to California and Colorado. Any reports outside of this known area need confirmation. I am sure it will be in suitable habitat in NY and prob. ne PA. They almost always have what I call a moustache – that is a black line or streak extending from the wing base on the thorax, outward and downward toward the hind margin of the forewing... - Don Lafontaine (pers. comm., 1/23/2019)
Identification notes
Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Nolidae (Nolid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Chloephorinae
- Genus
- Nycteola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous (poplar) woodland
Geographic Range
British Columbia east to New Brunswick and south to California, Nevada, and Colorado q
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in fall and spring and may overwinter
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Poplars, and in particular Balsam Poplar Populus balsamifera ( E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum )
Life History
According to Prentice (1962) the larvae feed as colonial tent makers when common, but are also frequently found as single defoliators. The late fall-early spring flight period may indicate that adults overwinter. Adults are occasionally collected in light traps, but they are apparently not strongly attracted to lights and may be much more common than trapping would indicate
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nycteola cinereana. 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 Grey Midget - Hodges#8977 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Grey Midget - Hodges#8977
What is Grey Midget - Hodges#8977?
Grey Midget - Hodges#8977 (Nycteola cinereana) is a species in the family Nolidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Grey Midget - Hodges#8977?
Forewing length 11-13 mm.
How do you identify Grey Midget - Hodges#8977?
Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Where is Grey Midget - Hodges#8977 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous (poplar) woodland |
| Range | British Columbia east to New Brunswick and south to California, Nevada, and Colorado q |
What does Grey Midget - Hodges#8977 eat?
The diet of the Grey Midget - Hodges#8977 includes Poplars, and in particular Balsam Poplar Populus balsamifera ( E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum ).
When is Grey Midget - Hodges#8977 active?
Grey Midget - Hodges#8977: seasonal activity - adults fly in fall and spring and may overwinter.
What is the life cycle of a Grey Midget - Hodges#8977?
According to Prentice (1962) the larvae feed as colonial tent makers when common, but are also frequently found as single defoliators. The late fall-early spring flight period may indicate that adults overwinter. Adults are occasionally collected in light traps, but they are apparently not strongly attracted to lights and may be much more common than trapping would indicate