The Brother - Hodges#9193
Raphia frater
This record describes Raphia frater (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Raphiinae
- Genus
- Raphia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Edges of watercourses, late successional fields, woodlands, and forests
Geographic Range
coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed mainly on aspen; other food plants include alder, birch, cottonwood, willow
Life History
At least two generations with mature caterpillars from late June to October. The eggs are laid in a small group, often in a linear, partially overlapping array. The early instars are narrowly elongate, their appearance contrasting markedly with that of the stubby later instars. The first two pairs of prolegs are rudimentary even in the second instar-the larva predictably loops. The caterpillars rest on leaf undersides by day and are easily found by turning branches or examining leaves from below. Winters are passed as pupa.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: FRATER: from the Latin "frater, fraternus" (a brother, brotherly) - the origin of the common name but what connection this moth has with brothers is not clear
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Raphia frater. 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 Brother - Hodges#9193 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Jason D. Roberts , Chris Grinter , Randy Hardy , Blocky , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About The Brother - Hodges#9193
How big is The Brother - Hodges#9193?
wingspan range at least about 30 to 40 mm based on specimens shown at MPG
Where is The Brother - Hodges#9193 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Edges of watercourses, late successional fields, woodlands, and forests |
| Range | coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States |
What does The Brother - Hodges#9193 eat?
The diet of the The Brother - Hodges#9193 includes larvae feed mainly on aspen; other food plants include alder, birch, cottonwood, willow.
What is the life cycle of a The Brother - Hodges#9193?
At least two generations with mature caterpillars from late June to October. The eggs are laid in a small group, often in a linear, partially overlapping array. The early instars are narrowly elongate, their appearance contrasting markedly with that of the stubby later instars. The first two pairs of prolegs are rudimentary even in the second instar-the larva predictably loops. The caterpillars rest on leaf undersides by day and are easily found by turning branches or examining leaves from below. Winters are passed as pupa.