Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1
Ponometia nigra
This record describes Ponometia nigra (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The dorsal forewing is very dark gray with a slight greenish sheen, and lacks any pattern. The hindwing is dark brown, including the fringe. The head and body match the forewing .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acontiinae
- Tribe
- Acontiini
- Genus
- Ponometia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"In southern California, this species has been found in coastal chaparral, by roadsides, and on sunlit trails" .
Geographic Range
Records from Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and California .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown, probably Malvaceae
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ponometia nigra. 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 Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1
What is Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1?
Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1 (Ponometia nigra) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1?
Forewing length 7 mm; Wingspan: 14.5-17.5 mm .
How do you identify Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1?
The dorsal forewing is very dark gray with a slight greenish sheen, and lacks any pattern. The hindwing is dark brown, including the fringe. The head and body match the forewing .
Where is Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | In southern California, this species has been found in coastal chaparral, by roadsides, and on sunlit trails . |
| Range | Records from Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and California . |
What does Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1 eat?
The diet of the Ponometia nigra - Hodges#9101.1 includes Unknown, probably Malvaceae.