Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188
Schinia unimacula
This record describes Schinia unimacula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forwing has straight median band with wide white area between basal and median bands; subterminal band consists of distinct subapical spot, then becomes faint medially and more distinct on inner margin; reniform spot large and distinct; forewing maculation seems to be darker and more contrasting in some Colorado specimens than those throughout rest of range; discal spot on hindwing can be present or absent; hindwing marginal band faint to almost absent [adapted from description by Pogue and Harp] page creation based on Chuck Harp's identification of this image as reported by Bob Patterson in the comments on that page.
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
western United States: California to Washington, east to Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from the end of June through October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae presumably feed on Rubber Rabbitbrush ( Ericameria nauseosa ) and Mojave Rabbitbrush ( E. paniculata )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Schinia unimacula. 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 Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188
What is Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188?
Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188 (Schinia unimacula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188?
Adult: forwing has straight median band with wide white area between basal and median bands; subterminal band consists of distinct subapical spot, then becomes faint medially and more distinct on inner margin; reniform spot large and distinct; forewing maculation seems to be darker and more contrasting in some Colorado specimens than those throughout rest of range; discal spot on hindwing can be present or absent; hindwing marginal band faint to almost absent [adapted from description by Pogue and Harp]
Where is Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188 found?
Range: western United States: California to Washington, east to Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico
What does Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188 eat?
The diet of the Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188 includes larvae presumably feed on Rubber Rabbitbrush ( Ericameria nauseosa ) and Mojave Rabbitbrush ( E. paniculata ).
When is Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188 active?
Schinia unimacula - Hodges#11188: seasonal activity - adults fly from the end of June through October.