Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464
Perigonica tertia
This record describes Perigonica tertia (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light brownish-yellow to dull orangish with irregular basal, AM, PM, and subterminal lines; reniform and orbicular spots outlined with pale scales; dark dots along veins in subterminal area; outer margin falcate, with conspicuous point (and bend) occurring about half distance from apex to anal angle (a distinguishing feature); hindwing dirty white basally, shading to brownish-gray distally, with dark discal dot and pale fringe
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Orthosiini
- Genus
- Perigonica
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
oak woodlands in west coast states
Geographic Range
California, Oregon, Washington; type specimen collected in California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from February to April in California
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Oregon White Oak ( Quercus garryana ) and Tanoak ( Lithocarpus densiflorus )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Perigonica tertia. 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 Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464
What is Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464?
Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464 (Perigonica tertia) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464?
wingspan about 38 mm, based on two photos by Tom Dimock at MPG
How do you identify Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464?
Adult: forewing light brownish-yellow to dull orangish with irregular basal, AM, PM, and subterminal lines; reniform and orbicular spots outlined with pale scales; dark dots along veins in subterminal area; outer margin falcate, with conspicuous point (and bend) occurring about half distance from apex to anal angle (a distinguishing feature); hindwing dirty white basally, shading to brownish-gray distally, with dark discal dot and pale fringe
Where is Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | oak woodlands in west coast states |
| Range | California, Oregon, Washington; type specimen collected in California |
What does Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464 eat?
The diet of the Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464 includes larvae feed on leaves of Oregon White Oak ( Quercus garryana ) and Tanoak ( Lithocarpus densiflorus ).
When is Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464 active?
Perigonica tertia - Hodges#10464: seasonal activity - adults fly from February to April in California.