Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992
Pachypolia atricornis
This record describes Pachypolia atricornis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Grote and Hampson descriptions in the print references listed below. Uncommon to rare throughout the range. Greham & Parker collected adult females at bait. Westcott reported Pachypolia atricornis collected by sugaring.
Identification notes
Grote (1874) and Hampson (1906) descriptions in the print references listed below.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Pachypolia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
North Carolina and Tennessee to Vermont and Minnesota. , Holotype ♂ collected in Chicago, Illinois, in (BMNH, London). Moth Photographers Group shows a California record. ?
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be September to November. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pachypolia atricornis. 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 Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992
What is Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992?
Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992 (Pachypolia atricornis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992?
Grote (1874) reported a wingspan of 45 mm. Hampson (1906) reported 46-50 mm.
How do you identify Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992?
Grote (1874) and Hampson (1906) descriptions in the print references listed below.
Where is Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992 found?
Range: North Carolina and Tennessee to Vermont and Minnesota. , Holotype ♂ collected in Chicago, Illinois, in (BMNH, London). Moth Photographers Group shows a California record. ?
When is Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992 active?
Pachypolia atricornis - Hodges#9992: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be September to November. ( 3 ).