Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1
Protogygia postera
This record describes Protogygia postera (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Detailed description. , Adults: Forewings appear streaky with the dark veins and lighter color near them. Thin back basal dash. Orbicular spot is of the forewing ground color and a long diamond shape. Reniform spots are also of the ground color and have a thin arrow shape.
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
Geographic Range
Baja California to New Mexico and north to Alberta and Saskatchewan. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection locations and dates.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from May through September. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is unknown. ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Protogygia postera. 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 Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1
What is Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1?
Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1 (Protogygia postera) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1?
Forewing length 15-17 mm. ,
How do you identify Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1?
Detailed description. , Adults: Forewings appear streaky with the dark veins and lighter color near them. Thin back basal dash. Orbicular spot is of the forewing ground color and a long diamond shape. Reniform spots are also of the ground color and have a thin arrow shape.
Where is Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1 found?
Range: Baja California to New Mexico and north to Alberta and Saskatchewan. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection locations and dates.
What does Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1 eat?
The diet of the Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1 includes Larval host is unknown. ,.
When is Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1 active?
Protogygia postera - Hodges#10892.1: seasonal activity - Most records are from May through September. ( 4 ).