LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484

Orthosia terminata

This record describes Orthosia terminata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 - Orthosia terminata
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

The original and revised description can be found online in the print references. rarely collected. ( 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

Seasonal Activity

Adults have been collected from March to April. ( 4 ) , ( 3 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Orthosia terminata. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 (5)

Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484

What is Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484?

Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 (Orthosia terminata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484?

Forewing length 16 mm. ( 3 )

How do you identify Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484?

The original and revised description can be found online in the print references.

When is Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484 active?

Orthosia terminata - Hodges#10484: seasonal activity - Adults have been collected from March to April. ( 4 ) , ( 3 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.