Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752
Plagiomimicus expallidus
This record describes Plagiomimicus expallidus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description of Plagiomimicus expallidus Grote, and the revised Hampson (1910) description are both available in the print references.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Stiriinae
- Tribe
- Stiriini
- Genus
- Plagiomimicus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Short-grass prairies and open grasslands.
Geographic Range
New Mexico, Texas and Utah to southern Saskatchewan, and Alberta. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most often reported from July to September. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: One known larval host is Cyclachaena xanthiifolia [ Iva xanthifolia ] (Asteraceae). ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Plagiomimicus expallidus. 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 Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752
What is Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752?
Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752 (Plagiomimicus expallidus) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752?
Wingspan 26-34 mm. (Hampson)
How do you identify Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752?
The original description of Plagiomimicus expallidus Grote, and the revised Hampson (1910) description are both available in the print references.
Where is Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Short-grass prairies and open grasslands. |
| Range | New Mexico, Texas and Utah to southern Saskatchewan, and Alberta. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752 eat?
The diet of the Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752 includes One known larval host is Cyclachaena xanthiifolia [ Iva xanthifolia ] (Asteraceae). ( 4 ).
When is Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752 active?
Plagiomimicus expallidus - Hodges#9752: seasonal activity - Adults are most often reported from July to September. ( 3 ).