Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463
Parapamea buffaloensis
This record describes Parapamea buffaloensis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark reddish-brown; basal and subterminal areas shaded with violet; AM and PM lines double, purple; basal, median, and ST lines single, brownish; orbicular and reniform spots filled with either ground color or white; hindwing light reddish-brown with thin dark median line [adapted from description by Charles Covell] The individual pictured here represents the first record of this species in Canada, according to Don Lafontaine. He says there are two specimens in the Canadian National Collection, but neither of them were collected in Canada.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Apameini
- Genus
- Parapamea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
marshes or wet areas beside rivers and streams where foodplant grows; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Wisconsin through Michigan and southern Ontario to New York, south to Florida, west to eastern Texas
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from August to October; most common in September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae bore into roots of Lizard's Tail ( Saururus cernuus )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: PARAPAMEA: probably a contraction of para-Apamea, meaning "alongside or similar to the genus Apamea ", which contains closely-related moths in the same tribe as Parapamea BUFFALOENSIS: the type specimen of this species was collected in Buffalo, NY
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Parapamea buffaloensis. 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 Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463
What is Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463?
Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463 (Parapamea buffaloensis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463?
wingspan 30-42 mm
How do you identify Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463?
Adult: forewing dark reddish-brown; basal and subterminal areas shaded with violet; AM and PM lines double, purple; basal, median, and ST lines single, brownish; orbicular and reniform spots filled with either ground color or white; hindwing light reddish-brown with thin dark median line [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Where is Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | marshes or wet areas beside rivers and streams where foodplant grows; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Wisconsin through Michigan and southern Ontario to New York, south to Florida, west to eastern Texas |
What does Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463 eat?
The diet of the Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463 includes larvae bore into roots of Lizard's Tail ( Saururus cernuus ).
When is Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463 active?
Buffalo Moth - Hodges#9463: seasonal activity - adults fly from August to October; most common in September.