Connected Looper - Hodges#8952
Plusia contexta
This record describes Plusia contexta (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
- Plusiinae
- Tribe
- Plusiini
- Genus
- Plusia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Fields, meadows.
Geographic Range
Northern United States and southern Canada east of the Rockies.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from June to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on grasses (Tietz, 1972).
Life History
Two generations per year. Larva
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Plusia contexta. 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 Connected Looper - Hodges#8952 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Connected Looper - Hodges#8952
How big is Connected Looper - Hodges#8952?
wingspan 30-35 mm
Where is Connected Looper - Hodges#8952 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields, meadows. |
| Range | Northern United States and southern Canada east of the Rockies. |
What does Connected Looper - Hodges#8952 eat?
The diet of the Connected Looper - Hodges#8952 includes Larvae feed on grasses (Tietz, 1972)..
When is Connected Looper - Hodges#8952 active?
Connected Looper - Hodges#8952: seasonal activity - Adults fly from June to October..
What is the life cycle of a Connected Looper - Hodges#8952?
Two generations per year. Larva