Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116
Schinia tuberculum
This record describes Schinia tuberculum (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Photo identified by Bob Patterson and confirmed by Chuck Harp. Reported as diurnal but adults are often seen at lights. Listed on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Rare Animal Status List.
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
Geographic Range
Texas, and Colorado east to New York (rare), and Florida. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) , ( 8 ) , ( 9 ) , ( 10 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
The flight period appears to be May through October with the peak in September and October. ( 4 ) , ( 10 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host is Pityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt. (narrowleaf silkgrass). ( 11 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Schinia tuberculum. 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 Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116
What is Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116?
Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116 (Schinia tuberculum) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116?
Wingspan about 20 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116?
Photo identified by Bob Patterson and confirmed by Chuck Harp.
Where is Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116 found?
Range: Texas, and Colorado east to New York (rare), and Florida. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) , ( 8 ) , ( 9 ) , ( 10 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116 eat?
The diet of the Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116 includes The larval host is Pityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt. (narrowleaf silkgrass). ( 11 ).
When is Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116 active?
Golden Aster Flower Moth - Hodges#11116: seasonal activity - The flight period appears to be May through October with the peak in September and October. ( 4 ) , ( 10 ).