Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978
Platypolia loda
This record describes Platypolia loda (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hindwing is white. Specimens identified by DNA analysis:
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
Mixed confier-hardwood forests. ( 3 )
Geographic Range
Central California to British Columbia and Montana. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection dates. Bug Guide - map of photo records submitted to Bug Guide.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly June through October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are general feeders of various hostplants including Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. ( 3 )
Life History
Eggs:
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Platypolia loda. 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 loda - Hodges#9978 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978
What is Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978?
Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978 (Platypolia loda) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978?
Forewing length 18-21 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978?
Hindwing is white. Specimens identified by DNA analysis:
Where is Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mixed confier-hardwood forests. ( 3 ) |
| Range | Central California to British Columbia and Montana. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection dates. Bug Guide - map of photo records submitted to Bug Guide. |
What does Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978 eat?
The diet of the Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978 includes Larvae are general feeders of various hostplants including Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. ( 3 ).
When is Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978 active?
Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978: seasonal activity - Adults fly June through October..
What is the life cycle of a Platypolia loda - Hodges#9978?
Eggs: