Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976
Platypolia anceps
This record describes Platypolia anceps (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Platypolia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in moist forests. ( 3 )
Geographic Range
Across Canada and south to the Great Lakes region, New England and throughout the mountains south to North Carolina. South through the mountains of Colorado and California. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Known as a fall flier with most records from septermber to November, but can fly as early as June in southern areas. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is unknown but most likely hardwoods. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Platypolia anceps. 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 Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976
How big is Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976?
Forewing length 14-18 mm. ( 3 )
Where is Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found in moist forests. ( 3 ) |
| Range | Across Canada and south to the Great Lakes region, New England and throughout the mountains south to North Carolina. South through the mountains of Colorado and California. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976 eat?
The diet of the Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976 includes Larval host is unknown but most likely hardwoods. ( 3 ).
When is Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976 active?
Platypolia anceps - Hodges#9976: seasonal activity - Known as a fall flier with most records from septermber to November, but can fly as early as June in southern areas. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ).