Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362
Phalaenostola metonalis
This record describes Phalaenostola metonalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
labial palps very long (as long as head and thorax combined) and flattened laterally; male antennae broadly bipectinate, with each lateral branch 1 mm long; forewing light grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, often darker in median area and toward apex; AM and PM lines thin, curved, dark brown; reniform spot a short brown bar or crescent; some specimens have diffuse double ST line hindwing lighter, especially in basal half, with the two lines of the forewing continuing across them, but not as clearly marked
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
Habitat
meadows, edges, and other well-vegetated open areas; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Newfoundland, south to North Carolina, west to Missouri
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August/September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on dead grass and dead leaves of deciduous trees; larvae will also eat dandelion and lettuce
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phalaenostola metonalis. 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 Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Ron M. , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362
What is Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362?
Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362 (Phalaenostola metonalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362?
wingspan 20-24 mm
How do you identify Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362?
labial palps very long (as long as head and thorax combined) and flattened laterally; male antennae broadly bipectinate, with each lateral branch 1 mm long; forewing light grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, often darker in median area and toward apex; AM and PM lines thin, curved, dark brown; reniform spot a short brown bar or crescent; some specimens have diffuse double ST line hindwing lighter, especially in basal half, with the two lines of the forewing continuing across them, but not as clearly marked
Where is Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | meadows, edges, and other well-vegetated open areas; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | British Columbia to Newfoundland, south to North Carolina, west to Missouri |
What does Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362 eat?
The diet of the Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362 includes larvae feed on dead grass and dead leaves of deciduous trees; larvae will also eat dandelion and lettuce.
When is Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362 active?
Pale Phalaenostola - Hodges#8362: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August/September.