Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076
Sympistis albifasciata
This record describes Sympistis albifasciata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Oncocnemidinae
- Genus
- Sympistis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Sympistis albifasciata occurs throughout most of western North America. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults appear to be most common during the months of July to September. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The adults are partially diurnal and visit flowers of Chrysothamnus species (rabbitbrush). ( 3 ) The larval host plant is thought to be Penstemon species as the other members of the genus. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis albifasciata. 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 Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076
How big is Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076?
Hampson (1906) listed the wingspan as 32 mm. The forewing length 12-14 mm. ( 3 )
Where is Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076 found?
Range: Sympistis albifasciata occurs throughout most of western North America. ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) , ( 3 )
What does Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076 eat?
The diet of the Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076 includes The adults are partially diurnal and visit flowers of Chrysothamnus species (rabbitbrush). ( 3 ) The larval host plant is thought to be Penstemon species as the other members of the genus. ( 3 ).
When is Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076 active?
Sympistis albifasciata - Hodges#10076: seasonal activity - The adults appear to be most common during the months of July to September. ( 5 ).