Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1
Parabagrotis formalis
This record describes Parabagrotis formalis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Although this is a variable species with several patterns and colors (pale buff, pale gray, reddish brown to blackish brown), it can usually be identified by the bicolored prothoracic collar (the basal half is black and the apical half is pale buff or gray see here . The three basic forms are;a washed out form with little pattern showing,one with contrasting pale streaks in the reniform, orbicular, claviform spots, on the leading edge of forewing, in the terminal area, and usually on the veins of the subterminal area, andone with the forewing color more even with a contrasting black basal dash and black shading on each side of the orbicular spot making the spot more noticeable. Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Parabagrotis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in moist to dry forests and woodlands.
Geographic Range
West Coast States from Washington to California, and British Columbia in Canada.
Seasonal Activity
Adults have been found from April to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Little is known of the larval stages.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Parabagrotis formalis. 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 Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ethan Kistler; Additional contributions by Bob Patterson , John Davis , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1
What is Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1?
Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1 (Parabagrotis formalis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1?
Forewing length 15 to 18 mm.
How do you identify Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1?
Although this is a variable species with several patterns and colors (pale buff, pale gray, reddish brown to blackish brown), it can usually be identified by the bicolored prothoracic collar (the basal half is black and the apical half is pale buff or gray see here . The three basic forms are;a washed out form with little pattern showing,one with contrasting pale streaks in the reniform, orbicular, claviform spots, on the leading edge of forewing, in the terminal area, and usually on the veins of the subterminal area, andone with the forewing color more even with a contrasting black basal dash and black shading on each side of the orbicular spot making the spot more noticeable. Genitalia:
Where is Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found in moist to dry forests and woodlands. |
| Range | West Coast States from Washington to California, and British Columbia in Canada. |
When is Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1 active?
Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1: seasonal activity - Adults have been found from April to October..
What is the life cycle of a Parabagrotis formalis - Hodges#11047.1?
Little is known of the larval stages.