Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755
Polenta tepperi
This record describes Polenta tepperi (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance

Original description online: as Schinia tepperi Morrison. (68)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Stiriinae
- Tribe
- Stiriini
- Genus
- Polenta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Oklahoma ( 3 ) , Texas to California; Utah ( 4 ) . Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from March to September. ( 5 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Polenta tepperi. 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 Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Harsi S. Parker; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755
What is Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755?
Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755 (Polenta tepperi) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755?
Forewing length 12.5-13.5 mm.
How do you identify Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755?
Original description online: as Schinia tepperi Morrison. (68)
Where is Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755 found?
Range: Oklahoma ( 3 ) , Texas to California; Utah ( 4 ) . Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
When is Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755 active?
Polenta tepperi - Hodges#9755: seasonal activity - Most records are from March to September. ( 5 ).
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