LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627

Paratrachea viridescens

This record describes Paratrachea viridescens (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 - Paratrachea viridescens
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin

Identification notes

Determined by Hugh McGuinness.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Amphipyrinae
Tribe
Psaphidini
Genus
Paratrachea

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Arizona.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are most common from July and August.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Paratrachea viridescens. 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 Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 (5)

Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin
Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin
Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin
Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin
Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Kyhl Austin

Frequently Asked Questions About Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627

How do you identify Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627?

Determined by Hugh McGuinness.

Where is Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 found?

Range: Arizona.

When is Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627 active?

Paratrachea viridescens - Hodges#9627: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from July and August..

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

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