Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419
Platypolia mactata
This record describes Platypolia mactata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing medium to dark brownish-gray with diffuse blackish streak in lower median area but not touching inner margin; AM and PM lines double, pale, outlined in black; PM line sinuous, composed of connected series of small arcs; reniform spot large; orbicular spot oval, outlined in black, with dark center; several short blackish marks along costa; subterminal area pale; fringe checkered dark and pale hindwing dark grayish with indistinct discal crescent, thin median line, and pale lightly checkered fringe; antennae simple; sexes alike
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
wooded areas; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to New England, New York, and Ohio, south in the west to Arizona and California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from August to November in Ohio; August and September in Alberta
Diet and Behavior
Diet: in Quebec, larvae feed on Wood-Betony ( Pedicularis canadensis ), bedstraw ( Galium spp.), and blueberry/cranberry ( Vaccinium spp.) [Handfield, 1999]
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters presumably as an egg or first instar larva
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Platypolia mactata. 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 Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Nick Block , marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419
What is Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419?
Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419 (Platypolia mactata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419?
wingspan 30-35 mm
How do you identify Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419?
forewing medium to dark brownish-gray with diffuse blackish streak in lower median area but not touching inner margin; AM and PM lines double, pale, outlined in black; PM line sinuous, composed of connected series of small arcs; reniform spot large; orbicular spot oval, outlined in black, with dark center; several short blackish marks along costa; subterminal area pale; fringe checkered dark and pale hindwing dark grayish with indistinct discal crescent, thin median line, and pale lightly checkered fringe; antennae simple; sexes alike
Where is Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wooded areas; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to New England, New York, and Ohio, south in the west to Arizona and California |
What does Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419 eat?
The diet of the Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419 includes in Quebec, larvae feed on Wood-Betony ( Pedicularis canadensis ), bedstraw ( Galium spp.), and blueberry/cranberry ( Vaccinium spp.) [Handfield, 1999].
When is Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419 active?
Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419: seasonal activity - adults fly from August to November in Ohio; August and September in Alberta.
What is the life cycle of a Adorable Brocade - Hodges#9419?
one generation per year; overwinters presumably as an egg or first instar larva