Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494
Orthosia pacifica
This record describes Orthosia pacifica (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description as Taeniocampa pacifica Harvey, and a revised description as Monima pacifica by Hampson 1905 are both available online in the print references below. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Orthosiini
- Genus
- Orthosia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia south to California and Arizona. ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults are reported from January to August. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is Quercus species (oak), but other small shrubs of Ericaceae are also used. Dyar 1894 described larvae on maple and wild cherry.
Life History
Dyar (1894) describes the larval stages. (link in the print references below)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Orthosia pacifica. 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 Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494
What is Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494?
Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494 (Orthosia pacifica) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494?
Forewing length 16-19 mm.
How do you identify Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494?
The original description as Taeniocampa pacifica Harvey, and a revised description as Monima pacifica by Hampson 1905 are both available online in the print references below. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 3 )
Where is Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494 found?
Range: British Columbia south to California and Arizona. ,
What does Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494 eat?
The diet of the Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494 includes Larval host is Quercus species (oak), but other small shrubs of Ericaceae are also used. Dyar 1894 described larvae on maple and wild cherry..
When is Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494 active?
Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494: seasonal activity - Adults are reported from January to August. ,.
What is the life cycle of a Orthosia pacifica - Hodges#10494?
Dyar (1894) describes the larval stages. (link in the print references below)