The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085
Ponometia semiflava
This record describes Ponometia semiflava (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Can be separated from the similar P. bicolorata by the yellow scales of the pronotum and head, which match with the yellow on the wing. Jan Metlevski via iNaturalist.com
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
Dry open areas such as sandy prairie, old beaches, dunes; adults are nocturnal and come to light, but are also easily flushed during the day.
Geographic Range
New York and New England to Florida, west to Arizona, north to British Columbia; in Canada, occurs from BC to Manitoba.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from March to August in the south; June and July in the north (Alberta).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana) in New Jersey and North Carolina; presumably related composites elsewhere.
Life History
One generation per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: semiflava is Latin for "half-yellow"
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ponometia semiflava. 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 The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , Chuck Entz , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085
What is The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085?
The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085 (Ponometia semiflava) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085?
wingspan 14-24 mm
How do you identify The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085?
Can be separated from the similar P. bicolorata by the yellow scales of the pronotum and head, which match with the yellow on the wing. Jan Metlevski via iNaturalist.com
Where is The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry open areas such as sandy prairie, old beaches, dunes; adults are nocturnal and come to light, but are also easily flushed during the day. |
| Range | New York and New England to Florida, west to Arizona, north to British Columbia; in Canada, occurs from BC to Manitoba. |
What does The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085 eat?
The diet of the The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085 includes Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana) in New Jersey and North Carolina; presumably related composites elsewhere..
When is The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085 active?
The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085: seasonal activity - Adults fly from March to August in the south; June and July in the north (Alberta)..
What is the life cycle of a The Half-Yellow - Hodges#9085?
One generation per year.