Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977
Platypolia contadina
This record describes Platypolia contadina (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: two forms - light and dark (perhaps corresponding to the two subspecies?) - forewing of light form mostly whitish with contrasting black markings; forewing of dark form mostly brownish-gray with slightly darker median area; in both forms, AM, PM, and subterminal lines jagged; reniform and orbicular spots large, filled with ground color; thin dark bar usually connects AM line to PM line near inner margin; hindwing brownish-gray with darker veins and diffuse discal spot; top of thorax colored similarly to forewing in both forms
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
wet western coniferous and mixed forests
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Alberta to California and Utah
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of flowering trees and shrubs, especially blueberry/huckleberry ( Vaccinium spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Platypolia contadina. 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 contadina - Hodges#9977 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977
What is Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977?
Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977 (Platypolia contadina) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977?
wingspan about 40 mm, based on photo by Jeff Miller at USGS
How do you identify Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977?
Adult: two forms - light and dark (perhaps corresponding to the two subspecies?) - forewing of light form mostly whitish with contrasting black markings; forewing of dark form mostly brownish-gray with slightly darker median area; in both forms, AM, PM, and subterminal lines jagged; reniform and orbicular spots large, filled with ground color; thin dark bar usually connects AM line to PM line near inner margin; hindwing brownish-gray with darker veins and diffuse discal spot; top of thorax colored similarly to forewing in both forms
Where is Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet western coniferous and mixed forests |
| Range | British Columbia and Alberta to California and Utah |
What does Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977 eat?
The diet of the Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977 includes larvae feed on leaves of flowering trees and shrubs, especially blueberry/huckleberry ( Vaccinium spp.).
When is Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977 active?
Platypolia contadina - Hodges#9977: seasonal activity - adults fly in fall.