Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748
Plagiomimicus spumosum
This record describes Plagiomimicus spumosum (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing grayish-brown with dense pale speckling (froth); PM line conspicuous, edged with whitish scales, abruptly bent near costa but otherwise almost straight (i.e. bulge in line confined to upper half of wing); slightly darker shading in median area, especially near PM line; AM line straight, variably pale to almost invisible; reniform and orbicular spots obscure, barely visible; terminal line dark, slightly wavy; hindwing dirty white basally, shading to grayish-brown distally, sometimes separated by pale PM line; terminal line dark; fringe mixed with pale and dark scales Larva: head yellowish-brown; body light pinkish-brown, hairless, with bumpy surface The common name is given on page 138 of Covell's Guide where it is listed under the synonym Stibadium spumosum .
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
Geographic Range
across southern United States, north in the east to New Jersey and Ontario, north in the west to Alberta
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September; most common in August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae tunnel in flowerheads and feed on seeds of sunflower ( Helianthus spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Plagiomimicus spumosum. 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 Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748
What is Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748?
Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748 (Plagiomimicus spumosum) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748?
wingspan 28-38 mm
How do you identify Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748?
Adult: forewing grayish-brown with dense pale speckling (froth); PM line conspicuous, edged with whitish scales, abruptly bent near costa but otherwise almost straight (i.e. bulge in line confined to upper half of wing); slightly darker shading in median area, especially near PM line; AM line straight, variably pale to almost invisible; reniform and orbicular spots obscure, barely visible; terminal line dark, slightly wavy; hindwing dirty white basally, shading to grayish-brown distally, sometimes separated by pale PM line; terminal line dark; fringe mixed with pale and dark scales Larva: head yellowish-brown; body light pinkish-brown, hairless, with bumpy surface
Where is Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748 found?
Range: across southern United States, north in the east to New Jersey and Ontario, north in the west to Alberta
What does Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748 eat?
The diet of the Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748 includes larvae tunnel in flowerheads and feed on seeds of sunflower ( Helianthus spp.).
When is Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748 active?
Frothy Moth - Hodges#9748: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September; most common in August.