LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1

Sympistis apep

This record describes Sympistis apep (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 - Sympistis apep
Contributed by Bob Biagi

The hind-wings are mostly dark colored, with a sinuous and relatively thin, white-colored PM band. This is a feature that is only shared with a few other species, such as Sympistis aterrima and Sympistis tenuifascia .

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

western (MT, WA)

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis apep. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 (4)

Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 - photo 1
Contributed by Bob Biagi
Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 - photo 2
Contributed by Bob Biagi
Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 - photo 3
Contributed by Bob Biagi
Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 - photo 4
Contributed by Bob Biagi

Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Biagi

Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1

What is Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1?

Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 (Sympistis apep) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How do you identify Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1?

The hind-wings are mostly dark colored, with a sinuous and relatively thin, white-colored PM band. This is a feature that is only shared with a few other species, such as Sympistis aterrima and Sympistis tenuifascia .

Where is Sympistis apep - Hodges#10164.1 found?

Range: western (MT, WA)

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Biagi. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.