LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893

Protogygia enalaga

This record describes Protogygia enalaga (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893 - Protogygia enalaga
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Identification notes

Determined by Chuck Harp.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Noctuini
Genus
Protogygia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Seasonal Activity

The flight period averages April to September with June the peak.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Protogygia enalaga. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893 (2)

Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893

How big is Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893?

Forewing length 17-20 mm.

How do you identify Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893?

Determined by Chuck Harp.

When is Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893 active?

Protogygia enalaga - Hodges#10893: seasonal activity - The flight period averages April to September with June the peak..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.