Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122
Spragueia dama
This record describes Spragueia dama (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - sexually dimorphic and have variable markings (see Nearctica.com). Larva - see Wagner, 2011.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acontiinae
- Tribe
- Acontiini
- Genus
- Spragueia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Fields, waste lots, open habitats.
Geographic Range
Throughout much of the southern United States from Arizona eastward. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates. Bug Guide - range map with monthly record of photos submitted to the guide.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from May through October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include bindweed ( Ipomoea ) and fanpetals ( Sida ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spragueia dama. 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 Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122
What is Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122?
Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122 (Spragueia dama) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122?
Wingspan 16-22 mm (Hampson, 1910). Larvae under 2 cm.
How do you identify Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122?
Adult - sexually dimorphic and have variable markings (see Nearctica.com). Larva - see Wagner, 2011.
Where is Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields, waste lots, open habitats. |
| Range | Throughout much of the southern United States from Arizona eastward. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates. Bug Guide - range map with monthly record of photos submitted to the guide. |
What does Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122 eat?
The diet of the Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122 includes Larval hosts include bindweed ( Ipomoea ) and fanpetals ( Sida )..
When is Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122 active?
Southern Spragueia Moth - Hodges#9122: seasonal activity - Most records are from May through October..