Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479
Spargaloma sexpunctata
This record describes Spargaloma sexpunctata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing violet-gray with tiny black orbicular spot and three small black dots in a narrow triangle near apex; dark gray median band has sharp border proximally, diffuse border distally hindwing brownish-gray with two wavy bands medially and dashed subterminal line.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Boletobiinae
- Tribe
- Phytometrini
- Genus
- Spargaloma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Virginia, west to California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to September (May to July/August in north)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of dogbane ( Apocynum )
Life History
Larva; larva; leaf wrap and spent pupa; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spargaloma sexpunctata. 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 Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Jason D. Roberts , John Davis , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479
What is Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479?
Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479 (Spargaloma sexpunctata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479?
wingspan 25-29 mm
How do you identify Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479?
forewing violet-gray with tiny black orbicular spot and three small black dots in a narrow triangle near apex; dark gray median band has sharp border proximally, diffuse border distally hindwing brownish-gray with two wavy bands medially and dashed subterminal line.
Where is Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479 found?
Range: British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Virginia, west to California
What does Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479 eat?
The diet of the Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479 includes larvae feed on leaves of dogbane ( Apocynum ).
When is Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479 active?
Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to September (May to July/August in north).
What is the life cycle of a Six-spotted Gray - Hodges#8479?
Larva; larva; leaf wrap and spent pupa; adult