Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099
Schinia scissoides
This record describes Schinia scissoides (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Benjamin original description as Eupanychis scissoides is available in PDF or view online in the print references.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Heliothinae
- Genus
- Schinia (Flower Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Atlantic and Gulf inland sandy areas. The larvae may bury underground during the day. ( 7 )
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) reported the range as South Carolina to Florida and Texas. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) Schinia scissoides is listed as rare in North Carolina. ( 6 ) Holotype was collected in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Seasonal Activity
Heppner (2003) reported adults from September to November. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Polygonella gracilis Meisn. (tall jointweed). ( 7 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Schinia scissoides. 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 Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099
What is Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099?
Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099 (Schinia scissoides) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099?
Wingspan average: ♂ 20 mm. ♀ 23 mm.
How do you identify Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099?
Benjamin original description as Eupanychis scissoides is available in PDF or view online in the print references.
Where is Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Atlantic and Gulf inland sandy areas. The larvae may bury underground during the day. ( 7 ) |
| Range | Heppner (2003) reported the range as South Carolina to Florida and Texas. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) Schinia scissoides is listed as rare in North Carolina. ( 6 ) Holotype was collected in St. Petersburg, Florida. |
What does Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099 eat?
The diet of the Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099 includes Polygonella gracilis Meisn. (tall jointweed). ( 7 ).
When is Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099 active?
Divided Flower Moth - Hodges#11099: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported adults from September to November. ( 5 ).