Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083
Schinia villosa
This record describes Schinia villosa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Mature larvae are light green with a darker green bands and lines along the length. ( 6 )
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
Occurs at upper elevations below the treeline. (montane species). ( 6 )
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Saskatchewan and south to Colorado and northern Arizona. ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from June to August. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host ( 6 ) is Erigeron L. spp. (fleabane) Adults can be found at flowers during the day. (diurnal)
Life History
Adults often rest on the blooms of the host plant and lay eggs between the florets. ( 6 ) Larvae are cannibalistic and compete for a single flower. They burrow below the seed head and only feed on the surface during the last instar. ( 6 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Schinia villosa. 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 Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083
What is Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083?
Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083 (Schinia villosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083?
Wingspan about 20 mm. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
How do you identify Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083?
Mature larvae are light green with a darker green bands and lines along the length. ( 6 )
Where is Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Occurs at upper elevations below the treeline. (montane species). ( 6 ) |
| Range | British Columbia to Saskatchewan and south to Colorado and northern Arizona. ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083 eat?
The diet of the Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083 includes Larval host ( 6 ) is Erigeron L. spp. (fleabane) Adults can be found at flowers during the day. (diurnal).
When is Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083 active?
Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083: seasonal activity - Adults fly from June to August. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ).
What is the life cycle of a Little Dark Gem - Hodges#11083?
Adults often rest on the blooms of the host plant and lay eggs between the florets. ( 6 ) Larvae are cannibalistic and compete for a single flower. They burrow below the seed head and only feed on the surface during the last instar. ( 6 )