Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363
Phalaenostola eumelusalis
This record describes Phalaenostola eumelusalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown, crossed by dark brown antemedian (AM), postmedian (PM), and subterminal (ST) lines; AM line composed of three scallops; PM and ST lines thin, irregular, zigzagged; distance between AM and PM lines at least 2x greater than distance between PM and ST lines (a distinguishing feature); broad dark band in median area; reniform spot a thin black arc; small dark blotch often present near apex; hindwing slightly paler than forewing, and crossed by two dark bands
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Herminiinae
- Genus
- Phalaenostola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
New Brunswick to North Carolina, west to Missouri, north to Saskatchewan
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from late May to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larval host is unknown ( Ohio State U. )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phalaenostola eumelusalis. 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 Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363
What is Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363?
Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363 (Phalaenostola eumelusalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363?
wingspan about 25 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363?
Adult: forewing brown, crossed by dark brown antemedian (AM), postmedian (PM), and subterminal (ST) lines; AM line composed of three scallops; PM and ST lines thin, irregular, zigzagged; distance between AM and PM lines at least 2x greater than distance between PM and ST lines (a distinguishing feature); broad dark band in median area; reniform spot a thin black arc; small dark blotch often present near apex; hindwing slightly paler than forewing, and crossed by two dark bands
Where is Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363 found?
Range: New Brunswick to North Carolina, west to Missouri, north to Saskatchewan
What does Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363 eat?
The diet of the Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363 includes larval host is unknown ( Ohio State U. ).
When is Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363 active?
Dark Phalaenostola - Hodges#8363: seasonal activity - adults fly from late May to August.