Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430
Selicanis cinereola
This record describes Selicanis cinereola (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing medium brown, dusted with pale gray scales; median area dark brown, bordered by thin grayish-white lines; slightly paler color outside PM line, shading to dark brown in terminal area; subterminal line indistinct; hindwing grayish-brown The higher classification of the superfamily Noctuoidea is currently undergoing study and will no doubt change further in the near future.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Apameini
- Genus
- Selicanis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
pine barrens and oak savannah
Geographic Range
endemic to central United States: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in September and October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hostplant and larva are currently unknown
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: CINEREOLA: from the Latin "cinereus" (ashy); probably refers to the pale gray scales scattered across the forewing, as though dusted with flecks of ash
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Selicanis cinereola. 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 Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430
What is Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430?
Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430 (Selicanis cinereola) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430?
wingspan 30-41 mm
How do you identify Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430?
Adult: forewing medium brown, dusted with pale gray scales; median area dark brown, bordered by thin grayish-white lines; slightly paler color outside PM line, shading to dark brown in terminal area; subterminal line indistinct; hindwing grayish-brown
Where is Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | pine barrens and oak savannah |
| Range | endemic to central United States: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin |
What does Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430 eat?
The diet of the Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430 includes hostplant and larva are currently unknown.
When is Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430 active?
Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430: seasonal activity - adults fly in September and October.
What is the life cycle of a Selicanis Moth - Hodges#9430?
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg