Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673
Spodoptera albula
This record describes Spodoptera albula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brownish-gray with dark streaks along veins; thin black basal dash a distinctive feature; reniform spot a small dark dot; lacks diffuse patch around reniform spot and lacks dark streak extending to outer margin (both characteristics of the similar S. eridania ); hindwing white with pale gray shading and dotted black terminal line
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Prodeniini
- Genus
- Spodoptera (Armyworm Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern United States to South America.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly mostly during latter half of year, especially November.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on pigweed ( Amaranthus spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spodoptera albula. 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 Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673
What is Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673?
Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673 (Spodoptera albula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673?
Wingspan 33-35 mm, based on several Internet photos
How do you identify Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673?
Adult: forewing brownish-gray with dark streaks along veins; thin black basal dash a distinctive feature; reniform spot a small dark dot; lacks diffuse patch around reniform spot and lacks dark streak extending to outer margin (both characteristics of the similar S. eridania ); hindwing white with pale gray shading and dotted black terminal line
Where is Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673 found?
Range: Southern United States to South America.
What does Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673 eat?
The diet of the Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673 includes The larvae feed on pigweed ( Amaranthus spp.).
When is Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673 active?
Gray-streaked Armywom Moth - Hodges#9673: seasonal activity - The adults fly mostly during latter half of year, especially November..